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Senate adopts new state song after students perform and composers relinquish copyright
Summary
The Utah Senate voted to change the state song to 'Utah This Is The Place' after a time‑certain presentation featuring students and members of the show's cast; authors Gary and Samuel Francis agreed to relinquish copyright to the public domain for state use.
The Utah Senate voted to send House Bill 223 back to the House after amending and approving a change to the state song, following a time‑certain presentation that included a singing performance by Cook Elementary students and a citation honoring the television series Touched by an Angel. Senator Steele, sponsor of the House bill, said the measure recognizes a song commonly used in schools and state celebrations.
During the session the Senate welcomed Roma Downey and Martha Williamson of the Touched by an Angel production, presented an official legislature citation acknowledging the show's economic and cultural contributions, and heard brief remarks from the show's representatives. The students performed an example of the proposed song before the chamber, and senators debated a small drafting change: restoring the word “hymn” in the bill language.
After debate, the Senate recorded 26 votes in favor, 2 opposed and 1 absent. Senator Steele read, for the record, a letter from songwriters Gary Francis and Samuel Francis that relinquished their copyright interest so that, if the song becomes the state song, it may be used by the public without copyright restrictions.
The change will now return to the House for final consideration because the Senate altered the bill language. The Senate also issued an official citation honoring the Touched by an Angel cast and crew for work produced in Utah and presented the citation in person during the time‑certain.
Speakers who addressed the Senate included Senator Steele (sponsor), Senator Gladwell (introducing the citation), Roma Downey and Martha Williamson (accepting the citation), and students from Cook Elementary who performed. The bill’s procedural next step is return to the House for concurrence on the amended text.
