Legislature convenes in restored Capitol

With some delays because of heavy snow, the Utah Legislature opened its 2008 general session Monday morning with prayers, singing and speeches.

On Monday afternoon Utah Supreme Court Chief Justice Christine Durham gave the State of the Judiciary address. Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. will give his State of the State address tonight in the newly restored Utah State Capitol.

House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy, said that legislators should be patient and honest.

Perhaps in a slight dig at Utahns who voted down a vouchers bill last November, Curtis said that he's read some history of early Utah and back in the early days when the Capitol was new, Gov. William Spry appointed a revenue and taxation commission. The commission had some recommendations, but they couldn't be implemented because residents rejected several constitutional amendments.

Spry said the residents rejected changes because of a "public campaign of perversion and misrepresentation by individuals and corporations."

Curtis went on to complain about the biased media, especially columnists who pursue what he called a partisan agenda.

Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, who was stuck in snowbound traffic and needed Senate ceremonies delayed to accommodate him, said he hoped that senators would be "firm enough to govern well, flexible enough to change." Valentine said his gavel was used in the second session of the Utah Senate, circa 1897, and he had with him the first Senate journal from 1896, the year Utah became a state.

Meanwhile, Elder Quentin L. Cook, of the LDS Church's Quorum of the Twelve, prayed in the House that debates over these next 45 days will reflect "personal respect and, hopefully, unity."

He noted that there are many serious issues facing not only Utah but the nation and world.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Elder Cook gave thanks for all those who have come before who brought Americans and Utahns freedom and civil rights, adding that America's blessings should be bestowed regardless of race, religion and gender.

In the Senate, Elder Robert D. Hales, also a member of the LDS Church's Quorum of the Twelve, gave the opening prayer. He prayed for unity and cooperation in the upcoming session and asked for the recognition of all religious faiths.

"We thank thee, father, for the many blessings we have ... and for the freedoms of this nation: Freedom of speech. Freedom to assemble. Freedom of religion and of the press," Hales said. "And on this special day when we honor human rights, let us honor all other creeds and religions."