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Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov Praises Olympic Ties in Utah Senate Visit
Summary
Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov addressed the Utah Senate, thanking the state for its Olympic hospitality, outlining youth-sports exchanges and broader scientific and business cooperation, and presenting a commemorative picture; senators resolved into a committee of the whole to hear him and later adjourned.
Mayor Yuri Luzhkov of Moscow visited the Utah Senate and outlined plans to expand ties between Moscow and Utah, emphasizing youth sports, scientific links and business cooperation.
Luzhkov, speaking through an interpreter, thanked senators for receiving his delegation and highlighted past cooperation tied to the Olympic Games. He said delegates first came to Salt Lake City for the Olympics and described an agreement to promote youth sport exchanges, noting Moscow held youth games in July 2003 under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee. "The delegation consists of 270 people, 199 athletes," Luzhkov said, adding that he hoped the visit would foster long-term ties among athletes, scientists and entrepreneurs.
The remarks followed a biographical introduction by the presiding senator that detailed Luzhkov's public service in Moscow, including his rise to mayoral office in 1992 and his re-election in December 2003, when he received nearly 80% of the vote, according to the introduction. Luzhkov described Moscow as one of Russia's most economically and scientifically advanced cities and said he welcomed constructive cooperation with Utah.
Senator Stevenson offered a historical reflection, thanking Russia for its wartime sacrifices and noting memorials to World War II in Russian cities. Luzhkov responded by emphasizing care for veterans and saying Russia now seeks closer peaceful cooperation with the United States.
Earlier in the session Senator Valentine moved that the Senate resolve into a committee of the whole to hear Luzhkov; the motion passed. After the mayor's remarks the committee was dissolved and the Senate adjourned until 10:00 a.m. Monday.
No formal legislation, votes on policy or funding decisions were recorded during the mayor's visit; the event was presented as a diplomatic and cultural exchange. The mayor presented the Senate with a commemorative picture of Moscow and the delegation's visit centered on outreach around youth sports and expanded institutional ties.
