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Utah Senate organized; newly elected senators sworn in and President Stuart Adams urges unity
Summary
On Jan. 28, 2019 the Utah State Senate held its organizational session: the lieutenant governor certified election results, newly elected senators repeated the oath of office, Senate President Stuart Adams delivered an address calling for unity to 'build Utah for this century,' and leaders honored outgoing President Wayne Niederhauser.
Salt Lake City — The Utah State Senate convened its organizational session on Jan. 28, 2019, where Lieutenant Governor Spencer J. Cox formally certified the results of the 2018 general election and a sequence of newly elected senators took the oath of office.
"I, Spencer Jaycox, lieutenant governor of the state of Utah, do hereby certify that at a general election ... the following named persons were chosen by the electors as members of the legislature of the state of Utah," Cox read during the certification for the record. Moments later multiple senators—among them Keith Grover, Daniel McKay, Scott Sandle, Ronald Winterton, Kathleen Reedy and Derek Lloyd Kitchen—came forward to repeat the oath, pledging to "support, obey, and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Utah" and to "discharge the duties of my office with fidelity."
Senate President Stuart Adams used his opening remarks to call for cooperation and a long-term view of state priorities. "By sitting here today, we have accepted the responsibility to build Utah for this century," Adams said, urging members to find "common ground, common cause, and use common sense" on issues including education, transportation, air quality and health care. Adams also presented a commemorative Senate coin to mark the session and recognized families and staff in the chamber.
The Senate paid tribute to outgoing leaders and staff. Senators offered remarks of appreciation for former Senate President Wayne Niederhauser; a motion of appreciation passed unanimously. Members also memorialized Matt Hilliard, announcing a commemorative display to honor his memory and asking colleagues to "live like Matt."
Presiding officers introduced session staff and legislative support personnel and thanked them for preparation and assistance. The session's formal business continued with motions and bill introductions ahead of the Senate's recess to reconvene at 2 p.m.
The Senate will next meet in afternoon session at 2:00 p.m., when the legislative calendar and committee assignments will continue.
