Rev. Davis to speak

The Rev. France Davis, pastor of Salt Lake City's Calvary Baptist Church, will be the keynote speaker at the Coalition for Utah's Future 11th annual Common Good Awards Luncheon, Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. at the Little America Hotel, 500 S. Main.

Called a "force for good," the Rev. Davis will discuss the "Gems of Life." One of nine children born on a Georgia farm, the Rev. Davis subsequently earned six degrees and serves on many local and national boards. In 1997, he was named a Father of the Year by the Utah Father's Day Council and also received the Humanities Award, presented annually by the governor and Utah Humanities Council. He has received honorary degrees from the University of Utah and Salt Lake Community College.

This year, the Coalition for Utah's Future will honor LDS Humanitarian Services and Merit Medical for their generous community service.

President Gordon B. Hinckley of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has emphasized that the church's humanitarian assistance is provided to those in need wherever they may be, without regard to religious affiliation, race, ethnicity or political persuasion. Annually, Humanitarian Services delivers more than 100,000 tons of food, blankets, medical supplies, hygiene kits, clothing, temporary shelter and other materials to thousands.

Merit Medical has grown from a start-up company to a publicly traded company forecasting revenues of more than $185 million this year.

The coalition created the Common Good Awards in 1996 to recognize organizations whose values and actions benefit the community as a whole.

Tickets are still available to the event at $50 a person and a table is $500 ($32 per ticket or $320 per table is tax deductible).

Contact Kevin Fayles at 303-1462 or kfayles@cuf-envision.org for reservations.