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Students and the Women's State Legislative Council honored; Senate approves resolution for Martha Hughes Cannon statue
Summary
The Utah State Senate honored the Women's State Legislative Council on its 75th anniversary, heard student testimonies urging placement of a Martha Hughes Cannon statue in the Capitol, and passed HCR2 recognizing the Statuary Commission's efforts.
Salt Lake City — The Utah State Senate paused legislative business on Feb. 1 to recognize the Women's State Legislative Council's 75th anniversary and hear student presentations advocating a statue of Dr. Martha Hughes Cannon in the State Capitol.
Senator Peterson moved the Senate into a committee of the whole to present a commemorative resolution acknowledging the Council's history of nonpartisan civic engagement. Mary Ann Stoddard, identified on the floor as the Council's president, accepted the tribute and thanked the Legislature for recognizing the Council's role in education, environment and human services issues over its history.
Student delegations from Mountain Shadows and Geneva Elementary (teacher Bruce Larson) and Meadowbrook/Mountain Shadows presented short biographies and appeals. Sixth‑grader Ashley Rigby told the Senate that Martha Hughes Cannon "was an amazing woman, and I think she deserves your support in putting this statue in the Utah State Capitol." Jennifer Perry and Tara Hedden also summarized Cannon's accomplishments, noting that she became one of the first woman state senators in the U.S., founded nursing education in Utah, and introduced bills advancing education and public health.
Following the presentations, the Senate read House Concurrent Resolution 2 under an extension of rules and passed the resolution by roll call (reported as 26 ayes, 0 nays, 3 absent). The resolution recognizes the Statuary Commission's plan to place a bronze statue of Martha Hughes Cannon in the Capitol as part of centennial activities.
What happens next: The resolution returns to the House for its proceedings; the statue commission and Legislature will coordinate placement and private fundraising efforts cited by sponsors.
