Our View: Hi-Line darts and laurels, June 13, 2014

Laurel — Loren Jenkins, Roger St. Pierre and Fred Charles Henderson will be inducted into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame. Each were experts at the art of cowboying, one of Montana’s finest traditions. Just as important, they were active residents in their small communities, another fine Montana tradition. Jenkins was a state lawmaker and active in Big Sandy events. Henderson was active in his tiny town of Warrrick and played a key role in starting the rodeo that bore his town’s name. St. Pierre was active in just about every phase of life on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation.

Dart — The Montana Parole Board denied the petition of Barry Beach for clemency despite the request of Gov. Steve Bullock. Beach has served a long time in prison for a crime that many believe he didn't commit. He has been a model prisoner, and there is no doubt he would be a tremendous asset to his community if he were released now. It’s time to put this whole episode behind him.

Laurel — Several United States senators are sponsoring legislation to have the bison declared the national mammal. The bison is sacred to many Native American groups and is representative of life on the Great Plains for many early white settlers. The bison was once on its way to extinction, but hard work preserved the species. Paying tribute to the bison would be paying tribute to all those — Natives and white — who helped restore the bison.