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Utah Senate honors longtime clerk Joanne B. Thomas on retirement
Summary
The Utah State Senate paused Feb. 28 to present an official citation and tributes to Joanne B. Thomas, who served the Senate for more than two decades, saying the longtime journal clerk has been the chamber’s "institutional memory."
The Utah State Senate paused its business Feb. 28 to honor Joanne B. Thomas, who retired after more than 23 years of service to the chamber. Senators from both parties rose to praise Thomas for her work as journal clerk and manager of senate services and presented her with a formal citation and gifts.
Sandy read the Senate’s official citation, which recorded Thomas’s start as a telephone operator, her long service as the Senate’s journal clerk and manager of services, and her work with the American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries (SEG 133–139). The citation noted Thomas had served since the 1970s and recognized her for accuracy and dedication in maintaining the flow of floor sessions.
Multiple senators delivered short tributes on the floor. "You've helped us out so much on both sides of the aisle," said one senator in tribute remarks (SEG 284–296). Another colleague recalled personal assistance and long service dating to the early 1970s and called her "a great asset to the Senate" (SEG 306–323). Thomas responded that she considered her work a privilege and that she looked forward to spending more time with family and quilting (SEG 492–609).
The chamber presented Thomas with a bound citation and a centennial volume, and family members joined her at the front of the chamber. Leadership described Thomas as a calming presence and said staff and senators would miss her institutional knowledge.
The Senate returned to legislative business after the presentation. The session’s formal record names the citation an "official citation of the Utah State Senate" honoring Joanne B. Thomas on her retirement (SEG 134–139). The Senate also recognized staff and interns before adjourning sine die later that night.
