Walker's resignation highlights need for honest, open government says Utah Democratic Party Chair

SALT LAKE CITY – Although Rep. Mark Walker, R-Sandy, resigned his seat in the Utah House of Representatives Sunday, just before an investigation into a bribery allegation that was to begin today, the chair of the Utah Democratic Party said the party remains fully committed to a more open and accountable government.

“I sense heavy-handed backroom political deals here,” said Wayne Holland. “We can only hope Walker’s resignation will not derail the attempt of a few courageous lawmakers to force our GOP-dominated Legislature to work for us instead of lobbyists and their cronies. This is exactly the reason we need an independent ethics commission.”

Legislation for just such a panel was introduced by Democrats in January, but it was not even given a committee hearing.

Holland says he is hopeful the five lawmakers – two Republicans and three Democrats - who filed the ethics complaint will not become targets of retaliation, and he challenged Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. to lead his party in creating the kind of state government every Utahn can be proud of.

Walker, who lost his bid last month to run for state treasurer, remains under criminal investigation by the attorney general in connection with allegations he offered deputy treasurer Richard Ellis a pay raise if he would not run against him.

Democrat Springmeyer files to become candidate for governor

SALT LAKE CITY – Bob Springmeyer filed today to run for Utah governor.

“I am running for governor because I know that Utah can and must do better,” said Springmeyer, a lifelong Democrat. “This is a great state. But it must be an even greater state.”

Specifically, Springmeyer said:

“I’m not satisfied that more than 400,000 Utahns, including 135,000 children, have no health insurance, and many more families are struggling to keep up with rising insurance costs.”

“I’m not satisfied that one-third of Salt Lake District students and almost half of Ogden students dropout, and far too many of our Hispanic students end up dropping out. Pretty good is just not good enough anymore.”

“I’m not satisfied that Utah wages as a percentage of national averages have been falling steeply since the early 1980s under Republican administrations – 80 percent of Utah workers have suffered real wage loss since 1979.”

“I’m not satisfied that when my 87-year-old mother tries to call the state she can’t get a real human – just a complicated stream of clicks, beeps and frustration.”

Springmeyer said middle class families are being squeezed by higher health-care costs, energy and tuition prices. “The only thing that is absolutely certain is that we cannot wait to act – We Must Do Better,” he said.

Springmeyer is a Utah native long active in the community. His accomplishments include:

He and his wife, Gwen, chaired the efforts to build the Ronald McDonald House of Utah – serving the families of hospitalized children of Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and Nevada.

He helped form and is the first president of the “Utah Wildlife and Conservation Foundation” to improve the habitat of non-game wildlife in Utah and to educate students of the importance of the Great Salt Lake.

He is the father of four adult children and grandfather to four grandsons.

He is the president of Bonneville Research, a regional economic and management consulting firm.

An avid cyclist and advocate for bicycle safety, Springmeyer helped form and plan for the annual Josie Johnson Memorial Bicycle Ride.

He and his wife Gwen were born in Provo, and now live in Salt Lake City.

Dave Hogue is a Democrat

Former Republican files for District 52

After 47 years as a registered Republican, Dave Hogue of Riverton filed today to reclaim his House seat in District 52, not as a Republican but as a Democrat.

Former Rep. Hogue said that the Republican leadership is out of step with Utahns and that it is captive of narrow special interests. He said he would work for progress, instead of working to make a philosophical point.

“Republican leadership has distanced itself from the common citizen, and they want to push their own personal agendas and those of special interest groups,” said Hogue. “It is my intention to give people of District 52 the representation they’ve lacked over the past few years - to give them a voice again.”

Hogue said he intends to remain a fiscal conservative. He has always supported public education and opposed vouchers.

He stressed that he would vote for policies that best serve the district, and referred to the Democratic Party as a “Big Tent” that embraces a wide range of political opinion.

Despite McCain missing vote, 1 million families in Utah to get relief from bipartisan stimulus package

SALT LAKE CITY - The signing today of the bipartisan economic stimulus bill means that an estimated 1,000,000 families in Utah* will receive tax rebates of up to $1,200 per couple, plus $300 per child as early as mid-May. While most of Washington came together to provide much needed assistance to Utah families struggling to cope with higher cost of living expenses, stagnating wages, job losses and a mortgage crisis that threatens the economic security of countless Utahns one Republican in Washington was too worried about his presidential campaign to show up for a crucial vote.

Last week Republican frontrunner John McCain - who recently told reporters he "doesn't really understand economics" - was too busy campaigning and too afraid to alienate the right wing of his Party to vote on a key element of the stimulus package. Despite being in Washington, and despite the fact that fellow Senators who traveled with him made it to the Senate in time to vote, McCain was the only senator to miss a vote on whether to improve the economic stimulus package by adding assistance for 20 million seniors and 250,000 disabled veterans to the package. Because of McCain's absence, the measure fell one vote short.

"John McCain's decision to put his campaign interests ahead of protecting Utah's working families and veterans shows how out of touch he is with the struggles facing average Americans in Utah and around the country," said Utah Democratic Party Chair Wayne Holland. "The last thing we need is four more years of a president who puts what's good for himself ahead of what's good for our country. McCain clearly offers a third Bush term."

By getting money into the hands of America's families and small businesses, the plan is expected to add 500,000 jobs to the economy. The plan will provide a tax rebate for the low and middle-income families who are being hit hardest by the economic downturn. More than 130 million families, including 35 million families across the country who work but make too little to pay income taxes will receive a tax rebate. The plan will also provide recovery rebate checks to 28 million households of senior citizens and disabled veterans.

McCain Admits He "Doesn't Really Understand Economics." At a recent meeting with the Wall Street Journal editorial board, Republican presidential candidate John McCain admitted he "doesn't really understand economics" and then pointed to his adviser and former senate colleague, Phil Gramm - whom he had brought with him to the meeting - as the expert he turns to on the subject, the Huffington Post has learned. [Huffington Post, 1/21/2008]

John McCain Ducks Stimulus Vote. "Republican presidential candidate John McCain skipped a difficult Senate vote Wednesday on whether to make 20 million seniors and 250,000 disabled veterans eligible for rebate checks as part of a proposed economic stimulus package. The Arizona senator's decision to miss the vote appeared to come at the last minute, after his plane had landed at Dulles International Airport outside Washington just before the proceedings opened on the Senate floor." [Associated Press, 2/6/08]

McCain Afraid to Cross Conservatives Before CPAC Speech. "President Bush and Republican leaders, as well as conservatives McCain was scheduled to woo on Thursday, vehemently oppose the expanded benefits and subsidies. That put McCain in a bad political spot. Voting 'no' with Republican leaders would have offended millions of Social Security recipients and the disabled veterans not scheduled to receive rebates. Voting 'yes,' on the other hand, risked alienating Bush, GOP leaders and conservatives already suspicious of McCain's political leanings." [Associated Press, 2/6/08]

* Office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Feb. 8, 2008

Utah Democrats issue response to “McLaughlin Group” panelist

Regarding “The McLaughlin Group” telecast of Dec. 9, 2007, on KUER and KBYU:

Lawrence O’Donnell’s comments regarding the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on “The McLaughlin Group” telecast of Dec. 9, 2007, have no proper place in the political discourse of our nation.

I realize the slash and burn format of “The McLaughlin Group” encourages throwing sucker punches. Few regular viewers tune in expecting civility. Perhaps, Mr. O’Donnell thought his role on this particular episode was to demean Mitt Romney by demeaning his faith. If that is the case, he demeaned only himself with his bigoted tirade against the LDS Church.

Members of the LDS Church have seen religious bigotry for much of the Church’s existence. Simmering just below the surface, the ugliness has come to the top of the cauldron as an obstacle to Romney’s candidacy in a Republican Party that has overly relied on public piety as a political tactic. I was saddened to see a Democratic voice joining the GOP chorus calling for the rejection of a candidate for public office based on their religious beliefs.

There are many legitimate reasons to oppose Governor Romney's candidacy, which we do. His ever-changing positions on matters of public policy and his past job performance leave many areas for appropriate disagreement.

Mr. O’Donnell, Democrats in Utah do not associate ourselves with your commentary. We reject it entirely. Utah Democrats refuse to become collateral damage because of your misguided attack on a Republican candidate for President of the United States. To do otherwise would undermine fine Democrats who are members of the LDS Church, most prominently on the national stage is U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada.

Members of the LDS Church claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. And, they honor the civic compact of our nation by believing in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

That’s how it is in America, Mr. O’Donnell. That is our social contract. I think you owe Mitt Romney, the members of the LDS Church, and the Democratic Party an apology.


Wayne Holland

Chair, Utah Democratic Party

Chavez-Houck wins Becker’s seat

Democratic delegates Wednesday night elected Rebecca Chavez-Houck to State House District 24 by an overwhelming majority vote.

“Now the real work begins,” said Chavez-Houck, who was communications coordinator for the Democratic House Caucus and a long-time party activist.

The vote filled the seat held by Ralph Becker, who won the race for Salt Lake City mayor in November.

Four others filed for the seat: Richard Goldberger, David Berg, Mark Swonson, and Trudy Henderson

Also, Karen Mayne was elected to fill the State Senate District 5 seat that became vacant when her husband, Ed Mayne, died several weeks ago. She ran unopposed.

The votes were held at the Salt Lake County Council Chambers.

Utah’s working families lose a friend and advocate

SALT LAKE CITY - Ed Mayne, Utah state senator and president of the AFL-CIO passed away Sunday, Nov, 25, 2007, at home surrounded by his family. His joyous, battling spirit that so distinguished his life and his politics will be missed.

For more than 30 years, Ed Mayne raised his voice on behalf of Utah’s working families. What some considered idealism, he called common sense. Ed Mayne knew it was just common sense that families should do better economically, that workers should be safe at their jobs, that everyone should have quality health care, and that our schools should perform well. He believed that the American Dream is not just for the lucky among us but should be a possibility available to all of us.

An honest man who led with his heart, Ed Mayne always put people front and center in his work and in his personal life.

We all want our lives to mean something, to change something. The life Ed lived did both. Everyone who ever knew Ed knows what he would want us to do: Don’t mourn - go out and speak up for those who have no voice, empower those who think of themselves as powerless, and never give up.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to speak at Park City event on behalf of Utah environmental group

PARK CITY - Great Salt Lakekeeper and the Park City Arts Foundation will sponsor a public speech on Dec. 9 by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent environmental activist, attorney and best-selling author.

Kennedy was named one of Time magazine’s “Heroes for the Planet” in recognition of his defense of the environment. He is chairman of the board of Waterkeeper Alliance, a coalition of over 150 Waterkeeper organizations worldwide. Each chapter is dedicated to protecting local waterways.

Kennedy will talk about the important role natural surroundings play in our work, health, and identity as Americans.

The lecture will be held at the Eccles Center for the Performing Arts, located at 1750 Kearns Blvd. in Park City on the campus of Park City High School. It begins at 5:30 p.m.

Tickets are $18 and $30. Advance tickets may be purchased by contacting the Eccles Center box office at (435) 655-3114 or by e-mailing boxoffice@ecclescenter.org. The Eccles Center box office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The speech benefits Great Salt Lakekeeper, a locally based environmental conservation organization and licensed member of Waterkeeper Alliance.

This event is co-sponsored by Community Radio KCPW and KPCW and the Salt Lake City Film Center.

So-called “parental choice” may not improve schools, conservative think tank study finds

SALT LAKE CITY – Vouchers just got harder to sell, says Wayne Holland, chair of the Utah Democratic Party.

“Utahns demand that their education tax dollars be spent wisely. They demand accountability,” said Holland. “And now we see what can happen without oversight: bad schools and little change for the better.”

Holland was referring to study released Tuesday in Milwaukee that suggests school choice isn’t a powerful tool for driving educational improvement.

Perhaps more surprising than that conclusion is the fact that the organization issuing the study is the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute, a conservative think tank that has supported school choice for almost two decades, when Milwaukee became the nation’s premier center for trying the idea.

“We had expected to find a wellspring of hope that increased parental involvement in the Milwaukee Public Schools would be the key ingredient in improving student performance," wrote George Lightbourn, a senior fellow at the institute. But “there are realistic limits on the degree to which parental involvement can drive market-based reform.”

Even some of the most ardent supporters of school choice in Milwaukee have backed away from advocacy of the purest version of the idea – in which there is little government oversight of schools and parental decisions in a free market dictate which schools thrive, according to Alan J. Borsuk writing in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Howard Fuller, a prominent supporter of voucher and charter schools in Milwaukee, has changed his position. He now believes that strong government oversight of voucher schools is needed, according to Borsuk’s report.

Asked whether the voucher program was leading to improvements in the achievement of students in Milwaukee, as was once expected, Fuller said: “I'm one of those people who believes that we may have oversold that point. . . . I think that any honest assessment would have to say that there hasn't been the deep, wholesale improvement in MPS that we would have thought.”

Conservative group puts core value - secrecy - of Republicans on display

SALT LAKE CITY - The Republican Party under the leadership of Vice President Dick Cheney will display one of its core values – secrecy – during a conference of the Council for National Policy, said Wayne Holland, chair of the Utah Democratic Party.

Cheney and Mitt Romney, a Republican presidential candidate, will address the group Friday at The Grand America Hotel.

“We welcome members of CNP to Utah,” said Holland. “Utahns have a rare opportunity to see – or more accurately not see – what Republicans are all about. And that is how policy is influenced in this country by what amounts to a secret society of far right-wing conservatives and religious extremists.

“It is disturbing that Romney, a man many people in Utah admire, has chosen to pander to these people.”

The Council for National Policy was co-founded in 1981 by Tim LaHaye, a conservative evangelical Christian minister and author of the best-selling “Left Behind” series of apocalyptic fiction, according to Source Watch: A Project of the Center for Media and Democracy. It is a secretive forum designed to facilitate networking of leading conservative political leaders, financiers, and religious right activist leaders.

Barry W. Lynn, the executive director of Americans United for Separation and State, told The New York Times several years ago: “The real crux of this is that these are the genuine leaders of Republican Party, but they certainly aren’t going to visible on television ...”

Form 990 filed with the IRS in 2002 indicates prominent conservative theorist Grover Norquist sits on CNP’s board of directors.

CNP’s membership, obtained by the Institute for First Amendment studies several years ago, includes a “who’s who” of the far right-wing of the Republican Party and their evangelical Christian allies:

• Former Attorney General John Ashcroft (former member)
• Tommy Thompson, former Health and Human Services Secretary, (former member)
• Richard De Vos, founder of Amway and partial funder of the pro-voucher campaign in Utah
• Holland Coors and Jeffrey Coors of the Coors brewing company
• Pat Robertson, former GOP presidential candidate and founder of the Christian Coalition
• Bob Jones III, president of Bob Jones University
• Phyllis Schlafly
• Oliver North, a political commentator. North was convicted of three felonies in 1988 related to the Iran-Contra scandal under President Reagan. The convictions later were vacated.
• Henry Morris, a prominent creationist
• Chuck Missler, an Idaho radio host who has predicted an imminent invasion of Jerusalem by forces guided by the Antichrist
• Sam Moore, president of Thomas Nelson, a Christian book publishing company

Mark Crispin Miller, a professor of media studies at New York University and author of several books critical of right-wing politics in the United States, adds to the list the following:

• Tom Delay
• Trent Lott
• Ed Meese
• James Robison
• Rev. Sun Myung Moon

Source: Source Watch: A Project of the Center for Media and Democracy

News Release: Utah mourns a political visionary

SALT LAKE CITY - Calvin L. Rampton, a popular three-term Democratic governor of Utah, died Sunday night.

Gov. Rampton was first elected in 1964 and is the only Utah governor to serve three full terms. He was governor from 1965 to 1977.

A moderate Democrat and astute politician, he easily fit the centrist mold of Utah politics and was elected each time by overwhelming majorities. He probably could have won a fourth term. Instead, he returned to private law practice and hand-picked the Democratic candidate, Scott M. Matheson, to succeed him. Even though Utahns that year voted overwhelmingly for Republicans Gerald Ford for president and Orrin Hatch for U.S. senator, Matheson won.

“It’s hard to overstate the impact Gov. Rampton had on Utah,” said Wayne Holland, chair of the Utah Democratic Party. “He was a visionary and an effective governor whose legacy has made life better for all Utahns.”

Rampton was considered an underdog, perhaps even a sacrificial lamb in 1964, running against Republican Mitchell Melich. But Barry Goldwater and his brand of radical Republicanism led the GOP to defeat that year in Utah as well as in the rest of the nation. Once in office he became one of the most popular governors in the state’s history.

As a Democrat during the height of the Vietnam War, he had a knack for bringing people together. His pro-business/development philosophy allowed him to become the consensus candidate of Utah’s business and political establishment.

“The governor was adamantly outspoken against today’s style of slash and burn politics,” said Holland. “I remember one conversation I had with him recently. He made it crystal clear that the Democrats should campaign with integrity. Win or lose personal integrity should never be sacrificed.”

Gov. Rampton worked closely with business leaders and pushed industrial development, tourism, development of energy resources, and expansion of the defense industry in Utah. He also established the “Little Hoover Commission” to recommend ways of restructuring and reorganizing state government, established the Utah Police Training Academy, and created the Governor’s Conference on the Arts. While in office, he was chair of the National Governor’s Conference, 1974-75; president of the Council of State Governments, 1974-75; chair of the Western Governor’s Conference, 1969-70; and co-chair of the Four Corners Regional Commission, 1971.

According to a recent profile published by The Deseret Morning News, Gov. Rampton launched the state’s first Olympic bid, but he said he was relieved to see the proposal advance no further than U.S. Olympic Committee approval in 1973.

Since leaving office, Rampton practiced law in Salt Lake City.

“The values Cal embraced as governor are clear: moderation, persistence, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to public service,” said Holland. “Frankly, I believe the greatest tribute we could provide Gov. Rampton is to acknowledge his life as an inspiration for politicians on both sides of the aisle.

“It’s important to remember that the governor was a consensus builder during a period of deep divisions in our country. We should be saying, ‘If Cal brought the parties together during Vietnam, we can and must do it now.’ ”

The former governor had been diagnosed with cancer and was living at CareSource hospice in Holladay since about July. His health had been declining since his wife, Lucybeth, died in 2004.

Funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Parley’s LDS Stake Center, 1870 E. Parley's Canyon Blvd. (2200 South). A viewing will be held Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple.

Calvin L. Rampton

Born: Nov. 6, 1913, in Bountiful, Utah, to Lewllyn S. Rampton and Janet Campbell Rampton.
Married: Lucybeth Cardon, March 10, 1940
Died: Sept. 16, 2007
Survivors: Daughter, Janet Warburton; sons Anthony Rampton, Vincent Rampton, all of Salt Lake City; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, brother Byron, sister Virginia. Preceded in death by parents, wife Lucybeth and daughter Meg.

Highlights as governor

• Utah’s eleventh governor, serving three terms from 1965 to 1977;
• Established the Industrial Promotion Council and the Travel Council in order to promote industrial and recreational opportunities in Utah;
• Developed the Commission on the Organization of the Executive Branch of the Government (“Little Hoover Commission”) to consolidate and streamline Utah state government operations;
• Expanded state building program that anticipated the demands placed upon higher education institutions by a rapidly maturing boomer population;
• Initiated civil rights legislation with state bills that complied with the federal Public Accommodations Act and the Fair Employment Practice Act.

Timeline

• Rampton was born on Nov. 6, 1913, in Bountiful, Utah, the eldest of three children of Lewellyn Smith Rampton and Janet Campbell Rampton.
• Rampton took over the family automobile business, due to his father’s death that same year, following his graduation from Davis High School in 1931. He sold the business in 1933 and entered George Washington University Law School and University of Utah. While in Washington, D.C., Rampton was an administrative assistant to Utah Congressman J. Will Robinson. He graduated from the University of Utah with a law degree in 1940.
• Rampton married Lucybeth Cardon on March 10, 1940. They had four children.
• Rampton was Davis County Attorney and Assistant Attorney General for Utah after graduating from law school.
• Rampton served in the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II and was Chief of the Senior U.S. Army Claims Commission in Paris at the end of war.
• Rampton returned to Salt Lake City after the war and practiced law until his election as governor in 1964. During this period, he became an authority on transportation and taxation law and developed a wide range of political and corporate ties.

Recent quotations

“Cal was an important and wise adviser for the Utah Democratic Party and Democratic candidates, even to the end. His counsel focused not only on what was good for the party, but more importantly what was important to the state as a whole.”

Wayne Holland, chair, Democratic Party of Utah.

“The governor was always in tune with what was happening, Utah issues certainly, but also technical issues at the national and international level.”

Wayne Holland, chair, Democratic Party of Utah.

“In my personal discussions with him, whether it was in his apartment in Holladay or at the Alta Club with his old and new friends, he was always quick to cut to the chase and articulate a common sense resolution to issues that seems to evade today’s spin masters.”

Wayne Holland, chair, Democratic Party of Utah

“Governor Rampton was that rare public leader who could see both the forest and the trees. He provided great strategic vision on issues like education and economic development. At the same time, his detailed mastery of the state's budget and his knowledge of every community in the state were extraordinary. These qualities combined with his progressive leadership make him Utah’s first truly modern Governor. He has been the model for all of his successors.”

Scott Matheson, former dean, University of Utah Law School

“Cal’s life was a testament to the underdog. He lost election after election but stayed in the game only to become one of Utah’s most influential governors and leaders. His ability to break through partisan barriers for the common good of all Utahns is an example we should all examine and remember."

Rob Miller, vice chair, Democratic Party of Utah

“Cal Rampton brought an intelligence and integrity to the political landscape that everyone respected. When he spoke, everyone knew that he had thought long and hard about what he was going to say. He never said something just to get headlines. And when he made a decision, there was no question that he believed it was the best decision for the state, not for political expediency or a vested economic interest.”

Pat Shea, former chair of the Utah Democrat Party

“Cal Rampton was an unsurpassed leader, one whose foresight, intellect and humor has paved the way for Utah’s modern era.”

Ralph Becker, minority leader in the Utah House of Representatives

“Cal Rampton’s leadership and commitment to the Democratic Party in Utah was remarkable and will be long remembered.”

Jenny Wilson, Salt Lake County Council

“I think we all see Cal as the father of modern economic development in the state of Utah. He reorganized government. He supercharged government/business development. And he launched serious the serious promotion of tourism. What he did has reverberated for 30 years and continues to influence the way government does business.”

Mickey Gallivan, former Utah travel director

“Gov. Rampton set the benchmark for modern-day governors. His leadership and service brought enormous success and pride to the people of Utah. We all are beneficiaries of his legacy. Mary Kaye and I express our heartfelt condolences to the Rampton family. The entire State of Utah joins them in mourning the loss of one of the finest public servants we have ever known.”

Jon Huntsman Jr., current governor of Utah

UDP News Release: Support sought for ‘home away from home’ for families of vets

SALT LAKE CITY – Safe, comfortable, and affordable housing for families of veterans being treated by the Department of Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care System (VASLCHCS) may soon become a reality, but only if Utahns demonstrate their support, said John Forsman, chairman of the Veterans Caucus of the Utah Democratic Party.

The medical center’s Salt Lake City campus is one of 10 recommended sites for construction of a VA Fisher House, which would provide home-away-from home accommodations.

“This is one of those projects that the whole state can get behind,” said Ray Bachiller, chairman of Fisher House/Utah.

“Many of our returning service members need intensive physical and occupational rehabilitation,” said Brian Westfield, VASLCHCS acting director. “Locating a Fisher House on our medical center campus will enable our patients to focus on their treatment and permit them to receive the full benefit of our extensive world-class care.”

The VA Fisher House will be a 21-guest suite, 16,000 square foot, two-story home, located on the southwestern portion of the medical center campus. The facility will include common kitchen, laundry facilities, spacious dining room, living room with library, and toys for children.

Fisher Houses are built through public donations and contributions from the Fisher House Foundation.

“If the community demonstrates strong support for a Fisher House by raising at least $500,000 in matching construction funds, the Fisher House Foundation will prepare a proposal for the approval by the Fisher House Foundation Board of Trustees. The proposal will include developing an architectural plan for the proposed Fisher House,” said Don Willis, Community Fund Raising Committee Champion for Fisher House/Utah.

The Fisher House Foundation will review the 10 newly recommended locations to determine sites for Fisher House construction in 2008 and 2009.

VASLCHCS treated 39,781 veterans last year, accounting for more than 400,500 outpatient visits and nearly 5,500 hospitalizations.

Contact:

• Ray Bachiller, chairman, Community Fund Raising Committee @ 801-430-8762 or bachiller1@aol,com
• Don Willis, Community Fund Raising Committee Champion, (801) 209-5765
• John Forsman, chairman, Veterans Caucus, Utah Democratic Party, (801) 560-5982, jfforsman7@xmission.com