Humanities Council seeks to unite Utahns

For the open-minded, Utah has more diversity than some choose to acknowledge.

I see it in pockets throughout the state, as I see it on the board of directors of the Utah Humanities Council. These 23 volunteers (five appointed by the governor) come from all over the state and represent many points of view. We are about as different as you can get. Different political perspectives. Different educational backgrounds. Different ethnicities and different religions. But we bridge those differences with a shared interest in the humanities and how to make the humanities work for all the people of Utah.

In many ways, what happens within our diverse group represents what UHC hopes to achieve through its programs — namely, to promote understanding, bridge differences and explore ideas through informed discussion. We support and host educational, literacy and discussion programs (see www.utahhumanities.org) in every corner of Utah.

UHC is funded by a variety of sources. For several years the Utah Legislature has allocated $65,000 — about two-cents per resident. We hope this allocation will continue and grow. Additionally, this year Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. has endorsed an increased appropriation for UHC in his proposed state budget.

On behalf of the Utah Humanities Council and all who value the idea of bridging differences and bringing all Utahns closer together, I encourage you to ask your representatives to support the Utah Humanities Council during this legislative session.

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Jon Weisberg is chairman of the board of directors of the Utah Humanities Council.