[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 175 (Thursday, December 3, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8369-S8370]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   REMEMBERING GOVERNOR OLENE WALKER

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute today to Governor 
Olene Walker, a woman beloved in my home State of Utah and regarded 
across the

[[Page S8370]]

Nation as a model of civility and selfless service. Governor Walker 
passed away last Saturday from causes incident to age. In her 85 years 
of life, she led with compassion and humility, earning the respect and 
admiration of everyone she served.
  Governor Walker's life was one of humble service, and her modest 
background made her rise in politics all the more impressive. Raised in 
rural Utah, she developed her trademark work ethic on the family farm 
and spent much of her childhood milking cows, hauling hay, and 
harvesting sugar beets. Both as a young woman working in her family's 
fields and as a Governor serving the people of Utah, no task was ever 
below Olene--she was always willing to do whatever was necessary to get 
the job done and to help those in need.
  As a State legislator, a Lieutenant Governor, and a Governor, Olene 
was steadfast in her commitment to help society's most vulnerable, 
especially small children. Her work in the area of health care reform 
precipitated the establishment of our State's Children Health Insurance 
Program, which helps provide medical insurance for Utah's 
underprivileged youth. After becoming Utah's first female Governor, she 
continued her advocacy for children by championing education reform.
  Governor Walker's Read With a Child Early Literacy Initiative was 
essential to her reform efforts. This program sought to improve 
childhood literacy by encouraging parents to read with their kids for 
at least 20 minutes every day. The initiative's focus on the family 
speaks to a simple truth: meaningful societal change doesn't begin in 
the bustling chambers of Congress but in the quiet solitude of the 
home, through the daily interactions between parent and child. As a 
former homemaker and as a mother of seven, Olene understood that 
healthy homes lead to a healthy society. This belief influenced many of 
her pro-family policies as Governor.
  Perhaps more than anyone I know, Governor Walker exemplified the 
teaching that the greatest among us is the servant of all. She often 
eschewed the trappings of public office and even refused to use a 
driver. After leaving the Governorship, Olene volunteered to serve as 
the primary president for her local church congregation. This humble 
position was a significant departure from her role as Utah's chief 
executive. Instead of negotiating with legislators and managing State 
agencies, Olene led dozens of little children in song and prayer, 
teaching them about the words of Christ and his early apostles. Anyone 
preoccupied with prestige or positions of power would surely consider 
this new responsibility a demotion, but Olene wasn't one of those 
people. She never concerned herself with titles, standing, or 
prominence; she cared only about serving others in whatever capacity 
she could.
  And she served until the very end. Even after retiring from office, 
Olene remained in the public sphere and continued to advocate for 
education reform. She was also active in ecclesiastical service and 
would eventually serve a 2-year mission in New York City for the Church 
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was equally engaged in 
academia and was instrumental in establishing the Olene S. Walker 
Institute of Politics and Public Service at Weber State University. In 
addition to hosting public forums, the institute helps students find 
jobs and internships in government and encourages women to become 
involved in politics.
  Through her trailblazing example, Governor Walker leaves a legacy of 
leadership that is sure to inspire generations of young Americans. With 
her passing, we have lost not only an exemplary stateswoman but also a 
loving mother and a friend. I am deeply grateful for my association 
with Olene Walker. I consider myself lucky to have known Olene and even 
luckier to have served alongside her. Elaine and I send our deepest 
condolences to the Walker family. May God comfort them, and may He 
comfort all of us as we mourn the loss of an exceptional woman.

                          ____________________