[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5245]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING NORMAN H. BANGERTER

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to a loving 
father, a visionary leader, a committed public servant, and a cherished 
friend--former Utah Governor Norman ``Norm'' Howard Bangerter. As 
Utah's 13th Governor, Norm established himself as one of the strongest 
leaders to ever hold public office in our State.
  Norm's roots were deeply entrenched in the west side of the Salt Lake 
Valley, and he often referred to himself as a ``humble farmer and 
carpenter'' who learned the value of hard work from a young age. His 
parents, William and Isabelle Bangerter, instilled in their 11 children 
a strong moral compass and a desire to help others--virtues he carried 
with him throughout his life.
  Norm first entered politics in 1974 when he ran for the Utah House of 
Representatives. He gained a surprise victory, which put him on a path 
of strong representation and leadership for his constituents. Norm 
served 10 years as a State representative, including 4 years as the 
speaker of the house.
  During Norm's first term as Governor, Utah faced formidable 
challenges. Never one to shrink from duty, Norm confronted these 
challenges head-on, exhibiting the exceptional judgment and foresight 
that would distinguish him as our State's chief executive. In making 
these difficult decisions, Governor Bangerter always sought to do what 
was right over what was politically expedient. He laid a strong 
framework for his governance, which included ``the three e's''--
education, economic development, and efficiency in government. Later in 
his tenure, he added a fourth ``e''--the environment.
  After Governor Bangerter won reelection in 1988, the difficult 
decisions of his first term began to bear fruit. Utah had raised its 
profile as a fiscally well-managed State, and the success of the 
Governor's economic development projects encouraged several prominent 
companies to relocate or expand in Utah. The Bangerter administration 
cut budgets, created jobs, expanded the economy, and provided a 
foundation for fiscal responsibility that still exists today.
  Although public service was important to Norm, his family was always 
paramount. In 1953, he married Colleen Monson, who was his loyal friend 
and constant companion through nearly 58 years of marriage until she 
passed away in 2011. Together they raised 7 children and were 
grandparents to 30 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. In 2012, 
Norm married Judy Schiffman, who was a dear friend and support to Norm 
and his family. His daily life was always spent with family by his 
side. Family time was sacred and essential to Norm, and he firmly 
believed that family was the most important component of life.
  Norm not only served willingly in the public arena, he also served 
diligently in his church, assuming several important leadership 
positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served 
for 18 years as a bishop and as a stake president, and later presided 
with his wife, Colleen, over the Johannesburg, South Africa Mission 
from 1996 to 1999. After his missionary service, Norm spent many hours 
each week volunteering in the LDS Church's Jordan River Temple. His 
life was an example of compassion and service, modeled after our 
Savior, Jesus Christ.
  Throughout my years of public service, I have had the privilege of 
knowing, working with, and learning from Governor Norm Bangerter. We 
spoke often, and I could always count on him to share with me his no-
nonsense wisdom and his passionate advice. Our conversations were 
always spirited, and they played an indispensable role in my own public 
service. He fought for what he believed in with great determination and 
fervor, and he was never afraid to express his opinions. I appreciated 
our conversations more than he probably knew, and I will miss his sage 
advice and loyal friendship.
  Elaine and I will greatly miss our dear friend, Governor Norm 
Bangerter. The impact he made on Utah cannot be overstated. He led 
during difficult times and was a steadfast anchor for our State. He was 
also a noble servant of our Heavenly Father, and a strong, loving 
husband, father, and grandfather to his cherished family. He left an 
indelible impression on me and on all those who had the privilege of 
knowing him.

                          ____________________