[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 2 (Thursday, January 4, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S36-S37]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   COMMEMORATION OF UTAH'S CENTENNIAL

  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, 100 years ago today, Utah became the 45th 
State of the Union. I wish to join with Utahns everywhere and celebrate 
this momentous day, as I am sure my colleagues would as well, and I 
extend my best wishes for the next century.
  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, 100 years ago today, January 4, 1896, 
President Grover Cleveland signed a proclamation admitting Utah as the 
45th State of the Union. I rise in recognition of this event and to 
join with Utahns everywhere to celebrate the centennial of the State of 
Utah.
  Prior to President Cleveland's action, Utahns had diligently battled 
for more than half a century to attain this goal. The telegram 
announcing Utah's statehood arrived at 9:13 a.m. on that winter morning 
in January at the Western Union office located on Main Street in Salt 
Lake City. As gunshots rang out the news, hundreds of people began 
shouting with joy, ``Statehood has been proclaimed.'' Bells and 
whistles reverberated throughout the valley, and one-by-one, 100 
American flags were hoisted.
  President Cleveland actually signed the proclamation at 10:03 a.m. in 
Washington, DC. His private secretary, Mr. Thurber, was quoted in the 
Salt Lake Tribune as saying,

       The President looked upon the signing of the proclamation 
     as purely as Executive act, and one not, therefore, to be 
     witnessed by the public any more than the affixing of his 
     signature to other routine business which came before him.

  Let me emphatically state 100 years later than President Cleveland's 
act was not just routine business--this was the birth of a truly 
remarkable State.
  Utah is great because its people make it so. Utahns, regardless of 
religious affiliation, hold solid values in common that I believe are 
essential to the quality of life anywhere. These include a strong work 
ethic, honesty, charity, compassion, thrift, perseverance, and respect 
for the family. There is a positive can do attitude in our State that 
is irresistible and refreshing.
  As our State motto indicates, Utah is industrious. As we excel in the 
arts and humanities, we also excel in the sciences and in commerce. 
This success has brought us an enviable level of prosperity compared to 
other States, and sets the stage for a stable future for our children.
  Utah's natural beauty is unsurpassed. The State of Utah has as a 
lasting and historical landmark, the Great Salt Lake; the greatest snow 
on Earth; and everything to offer in pure natural beauty. We are 
surrounded by the majesty of our mountains and forests; the 
breathtaking beauty of our red rock canyons; and the wide, open, 
limitless expanse of our farmlands and deserts.
  People have come to Utah from every part of the world with one basic 
motivation--the belief that this is the place where they would find the 
opportunity to pursue their hopes and dreams. Utah's history is filled 
with tales of people who have displayed remarkable determination and 
the will to forge ahead regardless of the odds. Our history and our 
people have literally made a desert blossom. Utah leaves an indelible 
impression upon its citizens, its visitors, and its leaders. The Utah 
values and the people who believe in them are the reasons Utah is a 
wonderful place to live, work, and most importantly raise our families.
  Mr. President, most of my colleagues have had the opportunity to 
visit Utah and experience the spirit that makes our State what it is 
today. As many have told me, they can fully understand why I am so 
proud to represent Utah in this body. I choose to bring this highly 
important date to the attention of the Senate in the hope that my 
colleagues will join with me in congratulating all Utahns for a job 
well done.

[[Page S37]]

  I want to publicly recognize all of the citizens of the great State 
of Utah and sincerely thank them for making Utah the wonderful place 
that it is today. I am honored to represent the people of Utah, and I 
hope and pray that the next 100 years will be successful and peaceful 
for all those who dwell within Utah's borders. Happy 100th birthday 
Utah.
  Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, I rise today to bring to the attention of 
the Senate the current celebration which is ongoing in my home State of 
Utah. With the beginning of this new year, Utah begins its centennial 
celebration having been admitted to the Union of States in 1896.
  This 100-year mark is very significant considering the long struggle 
for the citizens of the Utah Territory to gain statehood in the late 
19th century. The people of the Utah Territory tried unsuccessfully for 
admission to the Union six times--1849, 1856, 1862, 1872, 1882, and 
1887--before being admitted in 1896.
  Today, Utah is one of the fastest growing States in the country. 
Business is thriving as more and more companies establish roots in the 
State. The banking and financial industry have a long history of 
success in Utah. Manufacturing industry continues to grow and succeed. 
Utah's software industry is growing so rapidly that it has now 
surpassed that of Silicon Valley. Utah provides many opportunities for 
the families that reside in the State. With six 4-year, degree-granting 
universities and colleges, including four State institutions and two 
private institutions, Utah provides its citizens with many 
opportunities to enhance their education and circumstances. Today, Utah 
is ranked among the stop States in the Nation for the quality of its 
graduates.
  Again, Mr. President, it brings me great pleasure to join with the 
people of my State in celebrating during this centennial year. I would 
like to pay tribute to the many people who have worked so hard to put 
together the events that are taking place this week and throughout the 
remainder of this year. In particular I would like to single out Mr. 
Steve Studdert for the fine job he has done as chairman of the Utah 
Centennial Commission. Additionally, thanks goes to Gov. Mike Leavitt 
and his many predecessors who have worked so hard over the past 100 
years to make Utah what it is today. Of course we cannot forget our 
pioneer founders who saw the vision of what the desert could yield and 
put forth the hard work to cultivate and culture the Rocky Mountain 
valleys we now call home.
  For Utahns who find themselves transplanted to Washington, DC, I 
would like to announce that a celebration will be held here on the 27th 
of January, commemorating Utah's centennial. My staff and I can be 
contacted for further details.

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