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Utah House opens 2020 session; speaker urges industry, compassion and suicide-prevention measures
Summary
The Utah House convened Jan. 27 at the State Capitol. The presiding speaker framed the 45‑day session around three themes—industry, compassion and faith—highlighting suicide-prevention proposals after recounting a constituent's life‑saving intervention.
The Utah House of Representatives convened its 2020 regular session on Jan. 27 at the State Capitol in Salt Lake City. The presiding speaker opened the session, welcomed guests and guests' performances and set a policy tone focused on economic change, community compassion and faith.
"I'm honored to welcome each of you to the convening of the 2020 session of the 60 third legislature of the state of Utah," the Speaker said in opening remarks, praising the Farmington High School drumline and other participants. The remarks framed the legislature's role as detailed, deliberative and forward‑looking: "The best way to predict the future is to invent it," the Speaker said, urging representatives to consider technological change and the state's place in a shifting economy.
The Speaker used a personal anecdote to underline the session's second theme—compassion—and to spotlight mental‑health policy. He recounted a constituent, Kelly Snyder, who intervened with a young person she believed was suicidal. "Kelly's compassion saved a life," he said, and he cited session work on mental‑health bills: "At a time when 2 Utahns die and 13 Utahns are treated for suicide every day, we need more people like Kelly Snyder."
The speech also recognized faith leaders from multiple traditions who were present in the chamber and said faith and interfaith cooperation are important to the state's civic life and charitable efforts. The Speaker named clergy and organizations active in refugee services and homelessness relief and framed faith as a motivating force for volunteerism.
Musical performances and an invocation preceded the address: the Utah National Guard presented colors, Phil Evans led the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Box Elder High School Madrigals (director Casey Wood) sang the national anthem. A certificate from Lieutenant Governor Spencer J. Cox certifying elected members was read to the body earlier in the morning.
The Speaker closed by calling on members to do the work of the session over the next 45 days and noting substantive priorities that will appear on the agenda, including bills related to mental health and suicide prevention. The House recessed to convene jointly with the Senate later in the day for scheduled addresses and hearings.
