H.J.R. 9 Enrolled

RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING SCHOOL BREAK
FOR 2002 OLYMPICS
1998 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Sponsor: Gary F. Cox
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATURE ENCOURAGING UTAH SCHOOL
DISTRICTS TO ARRANGE A SPECIAL RECESS FOR STUDENTS IN THE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS TO ALLOW THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN THE HISTORIC 2002 OLYMPIC
WINTER GAMES.
Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
WHEREAS Salt Lake City is the host city for the Olympic Winter Games scheduled for
February 8-24, 2002, a time period falling within the school year for Utah's public schools;
WHEREAS the XIX Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City will be an historic event,
and will present a unique, chance-of-a-lifetime opportunity for residents of Utah and surrounding
areas;
WHEREAS the potential educational significance and impact of the Olympic Games is
enormous as tens of thousands of Utah's school children see the greatest athletes in the world
converge to compete in the Games;
WHEREAS ways could be found to permit Utah's school children to experience this
historic event firsthand;
WHEREAS Utah's school children should be afforded the chance to attend activities
associated with the XIX Olympic Winter Games without missing any school days;
WHEREAS the special educational opportunities afforded by the Games should be made
available to all students regardless of economic status;
WHEREAS Utah's public school personnel should be afforded time to attend activities
associated with the Games without missing any contract work days;
WHEREAS since some events will rely on nearby school facilities for parking, holding
classes during this time would create significant traffic congestion and other logistical problems
interfering with the smooth, professional presentation of the events;

WHEREAS Utah's young workforce may be made available for special student olympic
volunteer opportunities during this time period, decreasing the need to import a workforce from other
states; and
WHEREAS making the Games accessible to Utah's school children will allow them to
participate personally in the history to be made in their home state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah encourage
the State Board of Education to provide flexibility in the number of days school must be held during
a week, or the number of hours school must be held during a day in the 2001-2002 school year so
that local boards of education can structure school schedules which allow students to participate in
activities associated with the Olympic Winter Games and still complete the fulfillment of all
education requirements.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature encourage the Salt Lake Olympic
Committee, the State Board of Education, and local school boards to inform parents, teachers,
businesses, and communities well in advance of school schedules in order to prepare for the health,
safety, welfare, and education of Utah's children.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature encourage the Salt Lake Olympic
Committee to work with the state school board, local school boards, parents, and communities to
plan and provide educational opportunities designed to encourage Utah's school children to
participate in the Olympic experience.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Utah Board of
Regents, the Utah Office of Education, and to each school district in the state of Utah.

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