Diaz confirmed as department director

The Senate showed strong support for Yvette Donosso Diaz with a unanimous vote Tuesday confirming her as executive director of the newly created Department of Community and Culture.

The vote follows weeks of rumors and allegations that Diaz had knowingly hired an undocumented immigrant as a nanny. A Department of Public Safety investigation on Monday cleared Diaz of any wrongdoing.

Diaz was on a long list of names submitted by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. for confirmation to various state positions, boards and commissions.

The vote was 27-0, with two senators absent.

"I'm honored to be the first Latina in the gubernatorial cabinet in the state," Diaz told the Senate after the vote. She pledged to the governor and the lawmakers that she would work to the best of her abilities as the head of what she described as one of the most diverse departments in state government.

Diaz addressed the controversy surrounding her nomination. "I am pleased the probe has exonerated me of any wrongdoing," Diaz said, adding she understood now why some people hesitate to serve in government.

The last few weeks, though, "also made me stronger," she said. She spoke of her parents, who came to this country from Colombia, her voice breaking as she acknowledged her father in the chamber.

Several senators spoke in support of Diaz after the vote. Sen. Carlene Walker, R-Cottonwood Heights, said she read the results of the Department of Public Safety investigation into the allegations, which have yet to be publicly released.

"I have no more cloud of doubt," Walker said, adding her colleagues did not either, judging by their vote. "I believe Ms. Diaz is a tremendous asset to our state. I'm proud of her as a woman; I'm proud of her as a Latino."

Sen. Darin Peterson, R-Nephi, said he, too, reviewed the state's findings. "The allegations were unfounded," Peterson said, thanking Diaz "wholeheartedly" for going through the process.

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Contributing: Deborah Bulkeley

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E-mail: lisa@desnews.com