[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 120 (Tuesday, August 2, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S5227]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO COLLEEN MONSON BANGERTER

  Mr. LEE. Mr. President, I stand to address this body to honor the 
life of one of Utah's great citizens.
  A good friend of mine is former Utah Governor Norman Bangerter, who 
announced on Saturday that his beloved wife of 58 years had passed away 
after a long-time battle with Alzheimer's disease.
  Colleen Monson Bangerter, having been born in 1935, was the mother of 
six children, the mother also of one foster son, and in many respects 
was a friend to all of Utah's 3 million residents.
  She served faithfully in many capacities, including as PTA president 
and other offices within the PTA. She also served faithfully in a 
variety of positions as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of 
Latter-Day Saints.
  Just a few years ago, she and her husband, former Governor Bangerter, 
served as they presided over the mission of the Church of Jesus Christ 
of Latter-Day Saints in South Africa. They worked hand in hand 
throughout their entire lives--in raising their children, in running 
Governor Bangerter's campaigns, and in running the State throughout his 
time as Governor, which wasn't an easy time for our State.
  During Governor Bangerter's two terms in office, our State faced 
significant financial difficulties, faced significant flooding 
challenges, and the Bangerters weathered these adverse conditions well, 
serving as standing examples to all the citizens of Utah for what it 
means to rise to the challenge of adversity.
  Colleen Bangerter was someone who had friends in many corners, and 
she also had many talents, some of which are not known by everyone, 
including the fact that she was the State hopscotch champion in the 
State of Utah in 1947. There are not many First Ladies in the United 
States who can claim that distinction, and she definitely did. She was 
also pleased to have been the recipient of the highest award that can 
be granted by the Boy Scouts of America, which she received just a few 
years ago. But of all the honors, including the honors that went along 
with being the First Lady of the State of Utah and serving with someone 
who, in my opinion, was one of the great Governors ever to serve our 
State, her greatest honor, her greatest prize was that of her family.
  She loved being a mother, loved each of her 6 children, their 30 
grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. We as Utahns mourn the loss 
of this great citizen of our State. We mourn the loss of this friend. 
Our thoughts and our prayers go out to former Governor Bangerter and 
his family.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Tennessee.

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