H.C.R. 8 Enrolled

RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING UTAH RUSSIA DAYS
1998 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Sponsor: John L. Valentine
Gary F. Cox

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR
DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF JUNE 12 AS "RUSSIA DAYS IN UTAH"; URGING THE
CITIZENS OF UTAH TO CELEBRATE EXCHANGES OF CULTURE, THE ARTS,
COMMERCE, AND POLITICAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
AND THE STATE OF UTAH.
Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
WHEREAS the Ambassador of the Russian Federation, the Honorable Yuli M. Vorontsov,
met in Utah with Governor Leavitt and members of the Legislature in 1997;
WHEREAS these representatives of Russia and Utah discussed ways to encourage closer
cooperation and greater friendship between their respective sovereign states;
WHEREAS many commercial, educational, cultural, religious, and governmental entities
in the state of Utah have ongoing enterprises, relations, and exchanges with corresponding entities
in the Russian Federation;
WHEREAS these entities wish to continue and expand their relations with the Russian
Federation;
WHEREAS ongoing friendly relations, conducted in a spirit of mutual respect and
understanding, will help further a stable democracy and economy in Russia, as well as greater
understanding in both the state of Utah and the Russian Federation;
WHEREAS the citizens of the Russian Federation and the state of Utah share common
values and goals of friendship and cooperation based on mutual respect and trust;
WHEREAS the citizens of the Russian Federation and the state of Utah also feel a deep
appreciation for each other's noble heritage;
WHEREAS both cultures, while springing from distinct histories, were conceived and
nurtured in trial and hardship;

WHEREAS both peoples have a profound respect for thrift, industry, the work ethic,
self-reliance, culture, education, and the arts; and
WHEREAS June 12 is celebrated as a national holiday in Russia as the "Declaration on State
Sovereignty of the Russia Federation," Russian Independence Day:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
Governor concurring therein, designate the week of June 12, 1998, as "Russia Days in Utah."
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor urge the citizens of
Utah to celebrate exchanges of culture, the arts, commerce, and political dialogue for the mutual
benefit, understanding, and uplifting of our peoples.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the United States
Department of State, the Embassy of the Russian Federation, the Consulate General of the Russian
Federation in San Francisco, the Russian-American Chamber of Commerce, the State Board of
Regents, the Department of Community and Economic Development, the On-Site Inspection
Agency, the Utah-Russia Institute, and the members of Utah's congressional delegation.

- 2 -