This is the October 26 - November 8, 1996 update.
November 8, 1996
Contact Vicki Varela, 538-1503
or Paula Ernstrom, 538-1509
Listed below are the highlights of Governor Mike Leavitt's activities over
the past two weeks. Please call if you have any questions.
Thanked the voters of Utah for their confidence in him to serve as governor over the next
four years. This came during remarks celebrating his reelection. "Each day as I enter the
State Capitol I feel a renewed sense of appreciation for the privilege and responsibility to
serve as governor," the governor said. He then went on to discuss the future of Utah.
"During the next four years, we will slowly open the curtains on a new decade, a new
century and a new millennium. It will be an era of boundless opportunity, but we must be
ready; ready to build roads, preserve open space and plan; ready to educate our children
so they can not just compete, but lead; ready to nurture a sense of personal responsibility
and stewardship in all of us; ready to make Utah's second century even better than the
first." Governor Leavitt also thanked his opponent, Jim Bradley, for running an issues
oriented campaign.
Kicked off a new state program that provides saving incentives to the families of future
college students. The Utah Educational Savings Plan Trust encourages parents,
grandparents and other adults to save on behalf of tomorrow's college students by
providing several savings incentives. These incentives include favorable tax treatment at
the state and federal level, competitive returns on the investment made possible by
pooling participant funds, and interest in an endowment fund that will be part of UESP.
Leavitt launched the UESP at a Bennion Elementary School kindergarten class in Salt
Lake City. "As parents and others who care about the future educational opportunities
our children will have, we must plan now to ensure that today's kindergarten students will
be able to afford to attend college," said Governor Leavitt. "The value of UESP is that
parents and grandparents can be encouraged to do what we should do -- invest in our
children." Under this program, a parent or other adult can invest up to $1,200 a year on
behalf of a child under the age of 17. At the time the student begins college, the funds
may be used for specific higher education expenses at most colleges in Utah and many
out-of-state institutions.
Urged federal, state, and local land managers to work together to develop a consensus on
public land policy. Governor Leavitt addressed the Federal Land Managers Conference
at Snowbird. "Utahns share a common love of the land. There is a disagreement on how
to protect sensitive lands, but a common desire to preserve them. For decades our efforts
have revolved around conflicts. It is time to build on what unites us," the governor told
100 top federal land managers from across the west gathered for the event. In a memo to
cabinet members last month, Leavitt outlined an incremental approach to dealing with the
wilderness by identifying pieces of land where a consensus exists. "Once we have
identified an area that most can agree upon, let's do something. Let's actually designate
wilderness," Leavitt said.
Joined Salt Lake City Mayor Deedee Corradini in naming Kathaleen Cutone, Picabo
Street, and Zianibeth Shattuck-Owen to the Salt Lake Olympic Organizing Committee.
The new trustees represent athletes on the board. Commenting on the appointments,
Governor Leavitt said, "We are happy to name these athletes to the committee. They add
an important perspective that will be part of the formula for the success of the 2002
Winter Games." Kathaleen Cutone is a U.S. and Canadian gold medalist in figure,
freestyle, dance and pairs skating competition. She is also a member of the U.S. Figure
Skating Executive Committee and Board of Trustees. Picabo Street was a silver medalist
in the 1994 Olympic Downhill Skiing competition. She is also the 1996 World Cup
Women's Downhill champion, 1996 World Championship gold medalist, and the 1996
USOC Female Athlete of the Year. Zianibeth Shattuck-Owens is a member of the U.S.
Luge Executive Board and was a member of the Salt Lake City Bid Committee for the
1998 Winter Games. She was in the national team system for eight years as a luge
athlete. The SLOC bylaws require 20 percent of the board to be represented by athletes.
These appointments bring the number of athletes serving on the committee to six. One
athlete seat remains open.
Congratulated the Department of Public Safety for having one of the top crime labs in the
nation. The State Crime Lab recently received accreditation from the American Society
of Crime Lab Directors. "The requirements for accreditation are stringent and ensure a
high level of service, quality and reliability. The citizens of Utah can feel confident that
work performed in the State Crime Lab will be done with integrity and that all
stakeholders in Utah cases will be well served," the governor said when the credentials
were presented to the state at a news conference. Only 30 percent of crime lab facilities
in the United States have achieved accreditation from the organization which recognizes
crime labs for their credibility and professionalism.
Joined with officials from Intermountain Health Care and the Salt Lake City School
District to open an on-site health clinic at Lincoln Elementary School. Many of the
children who attend Lincoln do not have adequate health insurance and do not receive the
proper medical attention in the event of an illness or injury. The IHC Lincoln Family
Health Center will serve students and other community members regardless of their
ability to pay for services. "Good health is essential to good learning. This unique
private-public partnership will be a great benefit to the community and most importantly
the students of Lincoln ," the governor said. The clinic will be staffed by a registered
nurse, a bilingual medical assistant and a family nurse practitioner.
Declared November Utah Family Month. Governor Leavitt joined with First Lady
Jacalyn Smith Leavitt and members of the Coalition for Utah Families and the
Governor's Initiative on Families Today to kick off a month-long emphasis on families in
Utah. "While Utah is a strong state to raise a family," Mrs. Leavitt said, "we can't rest on
our laurels. All Utahns need to do something to strengthen our families now." The
Leavitt's also hosted the Celebration of Families Conference at the Salt Palace which
featured Captain Scott O'Grady sharing his experiences in Bosnia.
Recognized Utah's veterans. Governor Leavitt signed proclamations in honor of those
who have served our country in time of war, including one that declares November 11
Veterans Day Utah, one that recognizes women veterans and one that declares November
Utah Veteran's Remembrance Month. "It is one of our nation's great strengths that men
and women from every neighborhood and every background have answered the call to
preserve freedom and continue to do so today," the governor said.
Appointed Gary D. Stott as a Fourth District Court Judge. "Gary is well respected
member of the legal community. His experience and his wisdom will be a great benefit to
the people of the Fourth District," Governor Leavitt said. The new judge has been a
senior shareholder at Richards, Brandt, Miller & Nelson in Salt Lake City. During the
past ten years, he has emphasized insurance defense litigation involving claims against
doctors and hospitals. He was previously a partner in Stott, Young & Wilson and an
associate at Ivie & Young, both in Provo. Stott received his bachelor's degree from
Brigham Young University and his law degree from the University of Utah. He has been
very active in the Bar Association on a national, state and regional level and is the past-president of the Central Utah Bar. He is also past president and member of the board of
directors for the Brigham Young University National Cougar Club and the Riverside
Country Club. The appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.
Welcomed Carbon County students who participated in the 1996 Ribbon Relay. The
governor joined with Senator Mike Dmitrich, Carbon School District Superintendent Val
Bush and Carbon area PTA representatives to welcome the students to the steps of the
State Capitol. As part of ribbon week, students from Carbon County School District have
pledged to remain drug and violence free. They ran a relay from the Price area to Salt
Lake City to demonstrate their commitment this pledge. By meeting with the governor
and other leaders, the students wanted to publicly show that they support legislation to
control drug abuse and violence.
Opened the Utah Car and Truck Expo. Governor Leavitt was on hand for the opening
ceremonies of the expo and officially signed a declaration recognizing the centennial of
the automobile and the Utah Automobile Dealers Association.
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