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Senate honors Sergeant at Arms Rick Cantrell for building the chamber’s digital outreach
Summary
Senators presented Rick Cantrell with an award for pioneering the Utah Senate’s blog, podcasting and social-media work and praised his role in opening the legislative process to citizens. Cantrell addressed the Senate about democracy and the role of web tools in engaging the public.
The Utah Senate paused its legislative work to honor Sergeant at Arms Rick Cantrell for his work establishing the Senate’s online presence and digital outreach. President and multiple senators credited Cantrell with creating the chamber’s blog, expanding the site to include podcasts, photos, streaming video and social-media feeds, and teaching legislative staff nationwide how to use online tools.
"For his pioneering work, for showing others the way, for his leadership, we give him the senate number 1 award," the president said during the recognition. Senators from across the aisle described Cantrell’s work as instrumental in helping the public follow lawmakers’ work and in defusing crises through direct communication.
Cantrell told the chamber he does not love technology as an end but values democratic participation. "I love democracy," he said, explaining that web tools give citizens a window into committee and caucus work and can inspire participation. The Senate briefly recessed into a Committee of the Whole so members could hear Cantrell speak and then returned to the floor to resume business.
The recognition was procedural and ceremonial; no formal policy changes or new funding for digital services were proposed during the remarks.
