Utah’s business and community leaders gathered Saturday evening at the Grand America Hotel to recognize Senator Orrin G. Hatch as the 39th Giant in our City for his 42 years of service to Utah’s citizens and the nation.
The award is presented by the Salt Lake Chamber, Utah’s largest and longest-standing business association, and is recognized as the most prestigious business award given in Utah.
“Senator Hatch has always said that state and local issues are what matter most to him. His work in Congress has had a direct and positive impact on our business community, as well as the citizens of Utah,” said Derek B. Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber and Downtown Alliance. “For a lifetime of service to his community and country, it is our pleasure to honor him as a true Giant in our City.”
Now in his seventh, and final, term as Utah’s senator, Orrin Hatch is the most senior Republican in the Senate and the longest-serving Republican senator in United States history. Hatch became the President Pro Tempore of the Senate in 2015. Among his many initiatives are the Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution, the Strengthening Our Commitment to Legal Immigration and America’s Security Act, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act, and the Utah School Trust Lands Exchange Act.
“For more than four decades, Senator Hatch has spent his career fighting for those who could not fight for themselves,” said Wilford Clyde, chair of the Salt Lake Chamber Board of Governors. “He has given so much to the state of Utah. For his devotion to the citizens of Utah and to our country, we are pleased to be honoring Senator Hatch with this award.”
Senator Hatch is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance. He is also a member (and former Chairman) of the Judiciary Committee; a member (and former Chairman) of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee; and a member of the Joint Committee on Taxation. He also has the honor of serving on the Board of Directors for the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.
Upon receiving the award, Senator Hatch said, “To be named a Giant in our City is no small honor. I’m so grateful for my friends at the Salt Lake Chamber for granting me this special distinction. Throughout my Senate service, I have sought to do everything in my power to foster an entrepreneurial environment that would empower Utah’s business owners and allow our companies to compete. Achieving this goal would have been impossible were it not for the unwavering support of the Salt Lake Chamber and its distinguished members. To be recognized by such an accomplished group of men and women is a tremendous privilege.”
Speakers and presenters for the event included Speaker Paul D. Ryan; Paul Williams, president and chairman of ASCAP; Governor Gary R. Herbert; Derek B. Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber and Downtown Alliance; Wilford Clyde, CEO of Clyde Companies, and Chair of the Salt Lake Chamber; A. Scott Anderson, CEO of Zions Bank; and Governor Michael Leavitt. Entertainment was provided by Don Felder, Formerly of the Eagles; Monty Powell, American Songwriter; and Anna Wilson, Jazz Artist.
The Salt Lake Chamber expresses great appreciation to its Premier Investors: George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation and Zions Bank; Presenting Investors: Intermountain Healthcare, Larry H. Miller Group of Companies and WCF Insurance; and Event Investors: Clyde Companies, Deseret Management Corporation, Dominion Energy, Gardner Company and O.C. Tanner.
