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Utah Senate unanimously backs resolution inviting Smithsonian exhibit to Salt Lake City
Summary
The Utah Senate approved SCR 2, a resolution expressing support for bringing a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibit to Salt Lake City as part of the Smithsonian’s 150th-anniversary national tour. Smithsonian curators and organizers briefed senators during a committee-of-the-whole presentation before the resolution was sent to the House.
The Utah Senate voted to advance a resolution supporting a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibit that organizers hope to bring to Salt Lake City as part of the museum’s 150th‑anniversary tour.
Senator James Howell moved that SCR 2 be considered in a committee of the whole so Smithsonian representatives could brief the chamber. Curator Jeffrey Post, who was introduced to the Senate as “the curator of gems and minerals,” and event director Mary Crowley described a 12‑week national tour of Smithsonian artifacts and said Salt Lake City is being considered as one of the stops. "We hope very much that one of those cities will be Salt Lake City," Crowley told the Senate.
Supporters framed the resolution as noncontroversial cultural outreach. Senator Howell said the measure “brings us together as Democrats and Republicans” to pursue a “once in a lifetime opportunity,” and noted the institution would not charge Utah a fee under the terms discussed with state organizers.
After the presentation the Senate adopted a motion under suspension of the rules to spread SCR 2 for second and third readings and transmitted it to the House for concurrence. The clerk announced the roll call result as 28 ayes, no nays and one absence at the time of tally. The resolution’s proponents said they would ask the House to move quickly so the Smithsonian can finalize tour locations.
If the House agrees, next steps will be procedural: the House’s consideration and any subsequent logistics and agreements between the Smithsonian and local hosts. The Senate presentation included brief remarks from several state senators welcoming the delegation and stressing the exhibit’s educational value.
