[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 113 (Wednesday, July 13, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S5068]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                     REMEMBERING GERALD R. SHERRATT

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to a remarkable 
public servant, humanitarian, neighbor, and friend: Gerald R. Sherratt. 
Jerry was the former mayor of Cedar City and the 13th president of 
Southern Utah University. He passed away last week, leaving behind an 
unparalleled legacy that will forever bless his hometown and the great 
State of Utah.
  A man of abundant energy and unwavering enthusiasm, Jerry transformed 
the town of Cedar City. The fruits of his service can be found 
throughout the city, including the tremendous growth of Southern Utah 
University, the building of a new airport terminal, the success of the 
Utah Shakespeare Festival, the founding of the Utah Summer Games, the 
inception of the Livestock and Heritage Festival, the organization of 
the Storybook Cavalcade Parade, and the establishment of the American 
Children's Festival. These and so many other achievements owe their 
success to the leadership of Mayor Sherratt. He was truly Cedar City's 
most enthusiastic cheerleader and one of Southern Utah University's 
most cherished presidents.
  Jerry served as the mayor of Cedar City for two terms, implementing 
groundbreaking initiatives and infusing a new energy into the city. In 
recognition of the world-famous Utah Shakespeare Festival, he coined 
the term Festival City USA to attract visitors to the city. The 
tourists came in droves. Over the course of his public service, Jerry 
oversaw the fast growth of Cedar City's neighborhoods and helped lead 
efforts to improve the city's transportation infrastructure at a time 
of increased demand. With his trademark smile and charismatic 
personality, he quickly became a beloved public servant who would give 
his all to the good of the city and its citizens.
  Jerry's academic career stands on its own. He was a graduate of 
Branch Agricultural College, which later became Southern Utah 
University. He received a bachelor's degree in elementary education and 
a master's degree in educational administration before serving in his 
first leadership position at Utah State University. He would later 
return to his first alma mater to serve as Southern Utah University's 
president from 1982 to 1997. While at the helm, SUU saw the largest 
increase in student population and facilities in its history, setting 
the pace for many years to come. Perhaps one of Jerry's proudest 
moments came when he successfully lobbied to turn Southern Utah State 
College into Southern Utah University. The crowning jewel of Jerry's 
tenure was the building of the Centrum--a basketball arena and special 
events center on campus.
  Jerry's contributions to the university were memorialized with the 
naming of Southern Utah University's Gerald R. Sherratt Library. Today 
the library stands as a constant reminder of Jerry's selfless service 
to the university. In the library's main entryway, there is a bust of 
President Sherratt. As students walk in, they pay tribute to the former 
president by rubbing the bald head of the statue for good luck.
  Jerry was delighted by this gesture. He was a good-natured man who 
saw the humor in having his bald head rubbed by hundreds of students as 
they entered the library to study each day. In addition to being a fun-
loving and jovial president, Jerry was also a strong leader who was 
willing to roll up his sleeves and get in the trenches year after year 
to help his community.
  Jerry loved Cedar City. He once expressed his deep emotional 
attachment to his community in a simple yet profound way: ``These 
roots, they grab hold.''
  Our State was well served by the deep roots and leadership of this 
remarkable man. I will deeply miss my good friend Jerry Sherratt and 
the kindness and support he always extended to me throughout my 
service. He made an indelible impression on me and on all those who 
were blessed to know him. Jerry personified everything that is good 
about our State and its people.

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