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Speaker at Stock Show event apologizes for racist remark

By John C. Ensslin, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published January 16, 2008 at 10 p.m.
Updated January 16, 2008 at 10:37 p.m.

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A Greeley businessman apologized Wednesday after a joke about Illinois Sen. Barack Obama fell flat during the National Western Stock Show's annual Citizen of the West banquet.

William R. Farr was pretending to read telegrams congratulating this year's award recipient, University of Colorado President Hank Brown, when he pulled out a piece of paper and said, "I have a telegram from the White House."

Then he added, "they're going to have to change the name of that building if Obama's elected." Witnesses said they could hear people gasp in the ballroom of the Adams Mark Hotel.

"I gasped," said Gov. Bill Ritter, who was sitting at the table with Farr.

Mayor John Hickenlooper said, "I don't think he (Farr) intended any mischief or malice, but it was inappropriate."

After the banquet, Farr said he regretted making the remark and apologized for anyone he offended.

"I apologize for that," Farr told a reporter as soon as the banquet ended. "I mistook it to be humorous, but it was something I shouldn't have said."

Farr, a member of a pioneering Colorado ranching family, also said he regrets detracting from an evening intended to honor Brown, a longtime friend.

"All that I can say about that is that it was unfortunate and most inappropriate," said Albert Yates, a former president of Colorado State University, who is black. "Even though Bill Farr is a friend, there's just no way to defend what he said.

"I think it was uncalled for and atrocious," U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar said.

Comments

  • January 16, 2008

    10:59 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    equality writes:

    I am an African American and I think the comment is funny. People need to lighten up!!!

  • January 16, 2008

    11:47 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    RoseDesiree writes:

    I agree that the joke could be funny, but, a representative of the people of Colorado does need to be more careful. I hold them to a higher level than my average joe friends.