Governor Gary R. Herbert’s Schedule
May 28, 2018 - June 1, 2018
**The Governor’s schedule is subject to frequent change**
Monday, May 28
10:00 a.m. Memorial Day Ceremony
Location: Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park, Bluffdale
Media Access
Tuesday, May 29
9:30 a.m. Tour of Vineyard City
Location: Vineyard
Wednesday, May 30
12:15 p.m. Aerospace Industry Roundtable
Location: Governor’s Mansion
1:30 p.m. Western Pathways Conference
Location: Salt Lake City
6:00 p.m. President Matt Holland Farewell Event
Location: Orem
Thursday, May 31
6:30 p.m. Chabad of Utah 25th Anniversary Event
Location: West Valley
Media Access
Friday, June 1
No Public Events
Lt. Governor Spencer J. Cox’s Schedule
May 28 - June 1, 2018
**The Lt. Governor’s schedule is subject to frequent change**
Monday, May 28
No public events
Tuesday, May 29
No public events
Wednesday, May 30
No public events
Thursday, May 31
No public events
Friday, June 1
No public events
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Gov. Herbert Statement on the Release of Josh Holt
SALT LAKE CITY (May 26, 2018) – Gov. Gary R. Herbert has issued the following statement following the announcement of Josh and Thamy Holt’s release from prison in Venezuela:
Like many Utahns, I was overjoyed this morning to hear Senator Orrin Hatch’s news that after two long years, Josh Holt and his wife Thamy had been released from prison in Venezuela and are making their way home to Utah. I would like to personally thank those who have worked tirelessly to make Josh’s release possible, including President Donald Trump, Senator Bob Corker, the members of Utah’s congressional delegation and their staff. Josh’s return comes in answer to many prayers. The people of Utah look forward to welcoming him home.
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Utah Legislature Recognizes Contributions of Confucius Institutes
University of Utah, Southern Utah University and Davis County Public Schools Receive Commendations
Salt Lake City – Confucius Institutes across the state were honored by the Utah legislature at the state capitol on May 17. The legislature presented a citation of honors to a delegation from the Confucius Institute Headquarters in Beijing (Hanban) attending the Eleventh National Chinese Language Conference. Senator Curtis Bramble (R – District 16) said that this citation recognizes the efforts of the people of Utah to advance Chinese language programs with the support of Confucius Institutes.
At the conference opening ceremony, Utah Governor Gary Herbert affirmed his commitment to advancing Utah's Chinese dual language immersion program, citing the value of Chinese language education for Utah's economic development and workforce employability.
Since the establishment of the first Confucius Institute in Utah in 2007, more than 13,000 students have participated in Chinese language classes. Supported by Confucius Institutes, Utah's dual language initiative has become a leading program in American immersion language instruction, preparing Utahns to thrive in a globalized society. In his meeting with Utah students and educators, Senator Orrin Hatch (R) called the Confucius Institutes’ programming "really critical and crucial" and said "learning [Chinese] ... is in [the US'] best interest.”
Senator Howard Stephenson (R - District 11) said that "the success of Utah's Chinese language program would not have happened without the Confucius Institutes and the caliber of teachers provided through these partnerships." He added, “I have never seen more dedicated teachers than those from the Confucius Institute." An advocate for dual language immersion in Utah, Sen. Stephenson claims "monolingualism is the illiteracy of the 21st Century."
Memorandum of Understanding Signed
Following the recognition, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Hanban and the Utah State Board of Education on May 18. The MOU recognized Utah’s dual language Chinese immersion education program and the role of the Confucius Institutes in promoting people-to-people exchanges between the US and China. Hanban pledged ongoing support of Confucius Institutes to meet Utah's growing demand for Chinese language and culture classes.
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The Confucius Institute U.S. Center is a nonprofit organization that supports the teaching of Chinese language and culture in the United States and fosters educational exchanges between China and the United States.
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DAVID BATEMAN APPOINTED AS NEW UNITED UTAH PARTY TREASURER
Former treasurer Vaughn Cook steps down to focus on professional opportunities
The United Utah Party announced a change in its leadership today, with David Bateman being appointed by the party’s executive committee to replace Vaughn Cook as United Utah Party Treasurer.
“We are sorry to see Vaughn go,” said Richard Davis, UUP Chair. “He helped create the United Utah Party and has been a key player in getting the party off the ground. We wish him well in his new venture.”
Cook is stepping down to focus on professional opportunities, but he plans to remain active in the party going forward.
“We are excited that David is joining us,” Davis said. “He has extensive experience as a treasurer in other organizations, and he will help us grow and become a major force in Utah politics.”
The United Utah Party has eighteen candidates running for office this year, including three candidates for Congress.
More information is available at unitedutah.org.
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My Fellow Republicans,
As we commemorate Memorial Day 2018, my thoughts naturally reflect on my military service, and the honor it was to serve with the valiant, selfless and brave. I’m thankful for the good fortune to have served our Country well and to have returned home safely. I know, all too well, this wasn’t an outcome shared by all.
Last night, my mind recalled the scene from the movie “Saving Private Ryan” where a mother was notified of the deaths of her three sons who’d enlisted to serve in World War II. (https://youtu.be/s_RS3oBFMjc) This scene was based upon the real life account of the five Sullivan brothers, from Iowa, who were killed when their ship, the USS Juneau, was attacked by the Japanese on November 13, 1942. I mention this to highlight not only their sacrifice but the tremendous loss felt by their loved ones.
At the height of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln penned the following letter to Mrs. Lydia Bixby:
Executive Mansion,
Washington, Nov. 21, 1864.
Dear Madam,
I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.
I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.
I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom.
Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,
A. Lincoln.
May our thoughts and gratitude be with those who made the ultimate sacrifice “upon the alter of freedom,” and more so with their loved ones who feel the impact of that sacrifice so deeply. May we strive to serve one another more kindly and to be constantly engaged in such a worthy cause as freedom.
Sincerely yours,
Rob Anderson, Chairman
Utah Republican Party
