During the Legislative Session this year, I was pushing to move the start of the Legislative Session off of Martin Luther King Day (it is set on the same day by the Utah Constitution). Most of my Republican colleagues in leadership were dismissing the idea when Speaker Curtis spoke up; he noted that his uncle, a WWII veteran, was always disappointed that others didn’t appreciate the significance of Memorial Day because he had lost several close friends who had given their lives for our country; and the Speaker could understand that Martin Luther King Day may have special reverence for minorities in our state and country to signify overcoming injustice. Working together with Senate President Valentine, we passed legislation to change the start of the legislative session off Martin Luther King day.
I have a brother, uncle and father who served in the military. I know the special commitment they have had to our freedoms and rights; their diverse political views melt away over the basic values and ideals for our nation. I hope you will join me in honoring our soldiers of today and of yesterday who have given themselves to the greatness of the United States. As Speaker Curtis noted this year, we can all learn something and benefit from Memorial Day.