Salute to Teachers and Tribute to Ms. Barbara Whaley

by Senator Ross Romero
Senate Minority Whip

As the school year winds down, I want to take this opportunity to thank Utah’s teachers and educators for making a difference in the lives of their students.  I am amazed and impressed with the dedicated educators who have undertaken the critical assignment of preparing the next generation of Utah’s and America’s leaders.

My second grade teacher Barbara Whaley passed away June 1 at the age of 61 in Salt Lake City.  She was one of those teachers of whom I speak.  She was a teacher at Indian Hills Elementary School for 39 years, impacting the lives of thousands of first and second graders just like me.  My classmates and I adored her, and to this day, I feel a kinship with her and carry the memories of a wonderful school year as a young boy.  I attended her funeral recently and learned of her love for the 4th of July, buying tee shirts for family members to celebrate the occasion, her fondness of chocolate kisses, and her commitment to family.  I only knew her as a great teacher and appreciated hearing about her love in action.  She will be missed.

Many teachers perform their work in a system deficient in textbooks, supplies, professional development time, and appropriate classroom size.  Teachers spend many additional hours and dollars of their own to provide an education for our children.  Despite these challenges, teachers continue to be dedicated to their students.  The work they do in the classroom is deserving of the highest praise.  They serve as mothers, fathers, counselors, friends, nurses, disciplinarians, and finally as teachers.

Teachers, and especially at this time, Ms. Whaley, thank you for all you do for our community and our future.

Thanks for the Invitation, Camp Kostopulos

by Senator Ross Romero
Senate Minority Whip

On Saturday, June 5, I attended an open house at Camp Kostopulos in Emigration Canyon.  Camp Kostopulos is sponsored by the Kostopulos Dream Foundation, an agency dedicated to improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities.  Camp Kostopulos is a week-long residential summer camp where kids, teens, and adults with disabilities are able to socialize and enjoy numerous recreational activities.  It’s fun for the participants and, at the same time,  provides a reprieve for their full-time care givers.

At the camp, participants engage in various recreational activities such as fishing, swimming, camping, singing, arts and crafts, horseback riding, ropes course, etc.  They make new friends and renew their friendships from previous summers.  Participants stay on site for a full week in the capable hands of full-time staff members who provide 24-hour supervision.  I have included some photos I took of this wonderful facility in my Senate District.

I would like to thank Cheryl Smith, Development Director of the Kostopulos Dream Foundation, who escorted my family and me at the Camp Kostopulos open house.

In addition to summer camp, the Kostopulos Dream Foundation also offers year-round recreational programs for kids, teens, and adults.  For further information about Kostopulos, visit their website at www.campk.org and as always, donations are appreciated.

Finally, on July 10, 2010, the Kostopulos Dream Foundation is hosting the Wasatch Wheelchair Rally, a fundraising event which will showcase runners and walkers pushing empty wheelchairs in a race around Liberty Park.  For more information, visit www.campk.org/wasatch-wheelchair-rally.

Ropes Course

Horseback Riding

 
Senator Romero with his son and Cheryl Smith

Playground

Senator Davis greets Saudia Arabian Visitors

A group of seven international visitors from Saudi Arabia visited Utah under the auspices of the U. S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program, administered locally by the Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy, to examine “Religious and Public Education.”  Participants were:

 Mr. Khalid Ateatallah ALAMRI
 Islamic Education Supervisor, Ministry of Education, Madinah

 Mr. Fahd Alean ALDLWE
 Islamic Education Supervisor, Ministry of Education, Al-Ula

 Mr. Fahad Abdulrahman ALHAMAD
 Islamic Education Supervisor, Ministry of Education, Hail

 Mr. Mohammed Nughaymish ALHARBI
 Islamic Education Teacher, Al-Mahd Directorate of Education, Ministry of Education

 Mr. Hussain Salman ALMALKI
 Islamic Education Supervisor, Ministry of Education, Jizan

 Mr. Abdullah Ali ALSAWEED
 Islamic Education Supervisor, Ministry of Education, Qassim

 Mr. Abdulaziz Rashid ALTUWAIRISH
 Islamic Education Supervisor, Ministry of Education, Dammam

 Mr. Hassan Abdullah SAWADI
 Islamic Education Supervisor, Ministry of Education, Abha

 The international visitors met with Senator Gene Davis on Monday, May 24, to discuss religion in Utah and its intersection with public education in infuencing education policy.  Senator Davis also took the group on a brief tour of our newly renovated Capitol.  They visited the House and Senate Chambers, the Rotunda, and peered through the windows at the base isolators in the basement of the Capitol.

Senator Davis and the Group from Saudi Arabia

Senator Davis and Mr Fahad Alhamad

Heroes on the Hill–Senators Jones and Mayne

Last week the Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities held its annual “Heroes on the Hill” luncheon.  Hero awards were presented to Senator Patricia Jones and Senator Karen Mayne for their influence and effort in improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

 Congratulations Senator Jones and Senator Mayne.

A Drug-free Workplace is a Safe Workplace

by Senator Karen Mayne
Assistant Senate Minority Whip
Senate District 5

With the signing of Senate Bill 13, our State projects will have a safe environment for our Utah workers.  SB 13 provides that random drug testing will be used on all our state construction projects.  The problem of drug use in our society and in the workplace poses a threat to us all.  The legislation mandates that workers in safety-sensitive areas submit to random drug testing.  All workers should have a safe place to work and be protected from harm.  The State of Utah has set the standard for responsible hiring and health of our citizens.  Many organizations came together to sponsor this bill, all with the desire to keep our sites accident-free.

I would like to thank Workers Compensation Fund of Utah, Associated General Contractors, UDOT, Operating Engineers Local No. 3, AFL-CIO, Utah Manufacturers Association, Drug-Free Workplace Committee, and the many, many contractors who supported this legislation.

Habitat for Humanity-Making Houses into Homes

by Senator Karen Mayne
Assistant Senate Minority Whip
Senate District 5

Methamphetamine houses have been an “eye sore” in our neighborhoods and a health issue for all of us.  People have “cooked” drugs in their homes and poisoned the property.  The dangerous fumes contaminate wood, carpets, walls–everything.  Usually, the house is abandoned, and because of the cost of clean-up, the house sits empty.

This is where Habitat for Humanity comes in.  Habitat has the ability to rebuild a clean and healthy home for a new family.  Senate Bill 12 gives our citizens the option for a check-off on their state tax return.  This donation is in a restricted fund for restoration of meth houses.

Habitat for Humanity is in the business of making houses into homes.

Be sure to donate on your 2010 tax return.

SB 12 Sponsor Senator Karen Mayne (left)
House Floor Sponsor Rep. Jen Seelig (right)

Governor Herbert Signs SB 12

 
Habitiat for Humanity–Southgate Ribbon Cutting

 
Habitat for Humanity–Southgate Ground Breaking

Utah’s Legislature Addresses Gang Activity

by Senator Luz Robles
Senate Minority Caucus Manager
Senate District One

In a ceremony Monday, April 19, Governor Gary Herbert signed ceremonial copies of SJR 2, Joint Resolution on Combating and Reducing Gang Activity, and SB 59, At-risk Student Provisions, which I sponsored during the 2010 Legislative Session.

Gangs are a problem affecting all Utahns.  We can no longer ignore their presence and actions against our communities, and more importantly, their actions against our children who have become prey for many of these groups.  Our children are the future of this state and our nation, and we cannot lose them to this type of activity.

For the past two years, I have been working with various partners and stakeholders in the community to bring solutions to this problem.  Prevention and intervention, not just suppression, are my priorities.

Senate Joint Resolution 2 is a resolution that urges state and local governments to take a comprehensive, collaborative, and communitywide approach to combat and reduce gang activity.  The resolution acknowledges sports, arts, academic, targeted counseling, and employment programs as vehicles to counter gang recruitment.  It is a call to action where all can be involved and ask for collaborative efforts amongst all levels and branches of government to stop gang activity.

Senate Bill 59 requires the State Board of Education to adopt rules that require a local school board or governing board of a charter school to enact gang prevention and intervention policies.

The effort to prevent, intervene, and eliminate gang-related activity in our community is a bipartisan effort.  I want to personally thank the House sponsors of these pieces of legislation, my colleagues from the majority party Representative Ryan Wilcox for SJR 2 and Representative Paul Ray for SB 59.  Without their leadership and commitment, these bills will not be law today.

It is going to require a more comprehensive and holistic effort to reduce the crime and the involvement of our youth in these activities and more awareness from all of us.  I am looking forward to continuing our work toward the ultimate goal of having a community free of gangs.

I want to thank the members of the state Gang Task Force for their work and support.

Dental Health Care for Children of Working Families

This past legislative session, Senator Pat Jones sponsored SCR 4, Dental Health Care Concurrent Resolution.  In a ceremony earlier this week, Governor Gary R. Herbert signed the resolution in the company of Senator Jones, Scott Ideson, president of Regence BlueCross BlueShield, and a young couple whose four children have received dental care via the Regence Caring Foundation for Children.

This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor expresses support for the efforts of the Regence Caring Foundation for Children to provide dental care to children from low-income families who earn too much to qualify for public assistance.  The Regence Caring Foundation for Children began in 1992, and since then, has provided more than 27,000 children with free oral and medical care and has received donations of more than $5.9 million in cash and in-kind services to the Foundation.

Studies show that good dental health and overall general health are inseparable.  Poor dental care leaves children susceptible to infection and disease that affects their ability to sleep, study, and play.  Serious dental disorders can negatively affect self-image and potentially lead to kidney, liver, and cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

The Regence Caring Foundation for Children’s comprehensive dental plan includes exams, x-rays, fillings, root canals, crowns, and oral surgeries.  Workshops are also conducted to educate parents and children on oral hygiene techniques and good eating habits.

The Foundation donates ALL its administrative duties, allowing 100% of fundraising proceeds to be used for free dental services to children.  Senator Jones thanks her colleagues in the Legislature and the Governor for recognizing the noble efforts of the Regence Caring Foundation for Children.

Governor signs Senator Morgan’s Resolution on Alzheimers’ Awareness

This past legislative session, Senator Karen Morgan sponsored SCR 1, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Awareness Concurrent Resolution.  In a ceremony earlier this week, Governor Gary Herbert signed the resolution in the company of Senator Morgan, officers of the Alzheimer’s Association, and numerous caregivers.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive and fatal brain disease that destroys brain cells, causing memory loss and problems with thinking and behavior severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies or social life.  Alzheimer’s gets worse over time, and it is fatal.  Alzheimer’s disease is the fifth leading cause of death in America of persons aged 65 and older.  Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, the deterioration of intellectual faculties such as memory, concentration, and judgment, comprising 70% of all cases. (Click on thumbnails to enlarge.)

Utahns live longer than the rest of the nation, and the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease is increasing age.  Over 40,000 people in Utah are afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.

This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor urges Utahns to increase their awareness of the impact of Alzheimer’s disease.  Below are the four areas of emphasis reiterated by the Legislature and Governor Herbert:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein, recognizes the citizens of Utah who are battling the disabling effects of Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia and their caregivers as courageous Utahns engaged in a major health care battle of the 21st century.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor encourage their families, neighbors, employers, congregations, and the community at large to readily communicate their support, lend a helping hand, and promote open discussion about Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor urge Utah’s care provider industry to continue working hand-in-hand with families to support and care for those coping with the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor recommend that all Utahns personally adopt a brain-healthy lifestyle to reduce their risk of Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia by staying mentally fit, socially engaged, physically active, and adopting a brain-healthy diet.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor urge Utah’s brain health research and medical communities to continue their efforts through studies and clinical research to treat, prevent, and ultimately cure Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Protecting the Public and Creating Jobs

Yesterday Senator Goodfellow and Waste Management VIPs were honored to have Governor Gary Herbert sign a ceremonial copy of SCR6, Concurrent Resolution Approving Classification of Solid Waste Facility Solid Waste Permit, passed in the 2010 General Legislative Session.

Waste Management currently operates a landfill in Salt Lake County that accepts industrial and construction waste.  Waste Management is contracted with Salt Lake County and accepts all of the construction and industrial waste from the county.

This bill will allow Waste Management to designate a portion of its landfill to accept asbestos waste.  Our current asbestos waste landfill is filling up, and therefore, Waste Management’s landfill will be the only landfill in the county where there will be a place to dispose of asbestos waste.

The permitting process requires Waste Management to meet all of the conditions through the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), but DEQ cannot issue a permit without approval from the Legislature and the Governor.  This resolution gives DEQ authority to issue the necessary permit for disposal of asbestos waste.

A Signature

 
and

 
a handshake.