Bramble was so awed by the sight of the valley and surrounding mountains from his Deseret Towers dorm room he made a life-changing decision.

"Literally at that moment, I decided that this was where I was going to plant my roots and make my stand in life," he said.

Thirty-two years, two degrees, a wife and six kids later, Bramble is deeply entrenched in Utah Valley life. Before his election in 2000, he served on the Provo/Orem Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, chaired the Provo Airport Board and was commissioner of the Provo Housing Authority.

Despite his love of motorcycling and other recreation, Bramble does have a serious side, especially when it comes to the Legislature.

"I think (being a senator) is an incredible privilege and quite a serious responsibility," Bramble said.

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E-mail: mdecker@desnews.com