Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local History topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate hears centennial history of Provo; BYU president attends
Summary
Senator Charles Stewart led a centennial spotlight on Provo with a slide presentation by Dr. Douglas Smoot and presence of Brigham Young University president Meryl J. Bateman; the body accepted a donated historical book for the Senate archives.
The Utah Senate paused its legislative business for a centennial spotlight on Provo, where Senator Charles Stewart introduced historian and BYU professor Dr. Douglas Smoot to present a slide narrative of the city's history.
Dr. Smoot traced Provo’s development from Ute habitation through Mormon settlement in 1849, the founding of Brigham Young Academy (the forerunner of Brigham Young University), the arrival of early industry such as woolen mills and later steel production, and the construction of civic landmarks including the Provo Tabernacle and university buildings. He noted milestones including the Academy’s reconstitution as Brigham Young University in 1903 and more recent economic developments tied to the university and technology growth.
The Senate welcomed Meryl J. Bateman, newly installed as Brigham Young University president (effective Jan. 1, 1996), who was introduced by the presiding officer and offered the day’s invocation. Dr. Smoot offered the Senate a copy of his book on A. O. Smoot for the legislative archives; the gift was accepted.
Senators and guests in the gallery, including Provo Mayor George Stewart, were acknowledged during the presentation. The body resolved into a committee of the whole to accommodate the slide presentation and later dissolved it after the remarks.
The spotlight emphasized Provo’s identity as a university city and noted cultural events (balloon festivals, Fourth of July celebrations) and economic trends the presenter said shape the city’s future.
