Utah Senate elects Michael G. Waddoups as president; he urges senators to 'make a mark'
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Summary
The Utah State Senate elected Senator Michael G. Waddoups as its president during its opening day, administered his oath of office and heard a floor address urging members to 'make a mark' this session, highlighting priorities from education to Medicaid.
Senator Michael G. Waddoups was elected president of the Utah State Senate on the opening day of the 2011 General Session and was sworn in on the chamber floor.
The oath was administered following nominations and a motion to close nominations. After taking office, Waddoups thanked family and staff, outlined a session theme he called "Make your mark," and urged colleagues to pursue work on transportation, education, Medicaid, energy, redistricting, ethics and the environment. He also presented each senator with a small bookmark featuring the Senate seal as a symbolic reminder of the session's theme.
Waddoups recounted Utah's economic strengths in his remarks and encouraged senators to honor their oaths to the U.S. and Utah constitutions. "We are going to be working as a team," he said, asking colleagues to leave a positive legacy and to focus on serving constituents with integrity. The President thanked staff members and family present in the gallery and requested that his remarks be spread upon the Senate Journal; the motion to do so carried unanimously.
The election and oath concluded the organizational portion of the morning; the Senate recessed later in the day until 2 p.m. to hear the State of the Judiciary.
This account is based on the Senate's opening session proceedings and the President's floor remarks.
