Salt Lake Chamber honors Huntsman Sr. as 'Giant'

With more than 1,600 people watching, Jon M. Huntsman was honored Wednesday by the Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce for his efforts in the business community.

The Utah billionaire was the 25th recipient of the "Giant in Our City" award, given periodically by the Chamber for professional achievement and public service.

While the founder of a $12 billion petrochemical and plastics business, Huntsman was applauded for his commitment to family, the community and worldwide humanitarian efforts.

"He represents the timeless principles of love, compassion and charity," said his wife, Karen Huntsman. "He honors us by being here this night."

President Gordon B. Hinckley of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints thanked Huntsman for his kindness and his dedication to family — and the world.

"I am so deeply grateful for his kindness to me," said President Hinckley, keynote speaker and recipient of the award last year.

"No one of whom I know is a dearer friend, greater example and more generous spirit than the man we honor tonight. Not only is he a giant in our city, but a giant in the world."

President Hinckley praised Huntsman's wife and acknowledged their children. All nine of the Huntsman children spoke briefly about their father, later presenting him with a fishing rod as a memento.

"What a tremendous thing is this family coming up and speaking in tribute of their father," President Hinckley said. "I congratulate every one of them. No one of whom I know is more worthy to receive this award than Jon Huntsman, unless it be his companion, Karen, but she is too small and diminutive to be called a giant."

In accepting the award from Chamber president Lane Beattie, Huntsman also acknowledged his family — and their support as he furthered his career.

"No man ever stands alone, nor does any woman," he said. "We stand together, we work together, our success is the result of others, and we have many people standing by us who make us who we are."

Huntsman noted his work in building the $225 million Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, which opened last year.

"When you're kind of nervous and you have a big event and you're a little on edge, I find it such a wonderful blessing to go over to the chemo unit and see people whose plights in life are more different than your own."

Quoting Helen Keller, he added: "Life is an exciting business and most exciting when it is lived for others."

Scott Anderson, president of Zions Bank, helped to select Huntsman for the award. "It was just Jon's time," he said when asked why Huntsman hadn't been selected in the past. "He fits the description and he's the example we look to."

The event ended with a musical tribute to Elvis Presley, starring Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. on the keyboard. Fred Lampropolous, founder of Merit Medical, was the lead vocalist. Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson played the guitar, and Keith Rattie, president of Questar, was the lead guitarist. Jon Huntsman III played the drums.

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