H.J.R. 22 Enrolled

1

JOINT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE
2 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UTAH
3 HIGHWAY PATROL
4 2010 GENERAL SESSION
5 STATE OF UTAH
6 Chief Sponsor: Don L. Ipson
7 Senate Sponsor: John L. Valentine
8
9 LONG TITLE
10 General Description:
11 This joint resolution of the Legislature recognizes the 75th anniversary of the formation
12 of the Utah Highway Patrol and its service to the citizens of Utah.
13 Highlighted Provisions:
14 This resolution:
15 . recognizes the 75th anniversary of the Utah Highway Patrol and its continued
16 exceptional service to the state of Utah and its motoring public.
17 Special Clauses:
18 None
19
20 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
21 WHEREAS, 2010 marks 75 years since the Utah Highway Patrol was organized and
22 vested with full state police powers;
23 WHEREAS, since its inception, the Utah Highway Patrol has grown from a handful of
24 officers patrolling the state in Model A Fords and motorcycles, to its present force of 314 field
25 troopers driving specially designed police vehicles and using up-to-date equipment, including
26 computers, to more efficiently and effectively serve the citizens of Utah;
27 WHEREAS, the Utah Highway Patrol continues to face the daily challenge of traffic
28 law enforcement and crash prevention on more than 26,000 miles of roadway in Utah;
29 WHEREAS, Utah Highway Patrol troopers render assistance to the public in a variety

30 of ways;
31 WHEREAS, over the past 75 years, highway patrol troopers have preserved public
32 safety on the highways by arresting impaired drivers, removing traffic hazards, assisting
33 stranded motorists, making interdiction arrests, arresting wanted persons, participating in
34 search and rescue missions, and providing a myriad of other services in an effort to protect
35 people and property;
36 WHEREAS, for the calendar year ending December 31, 2009, troopers have worked to
37 reduce fatal crashes to their lowest level in 35 years;
38 WHEREAS, the Utah Highway Patrol has provided vital protection to our citizens and
39 the world throughout the past 75 years, including during the 2002 Winter Olympics;
40 WHEREAS, in 2009, the efforts of the Utah Highway Patrol, in conjunction with other
41 entities, resulted in an 11.2% reduction in fatal crashes from the previous year;
42 WHEREAS, in 2009, the Utah Highway Patrol, through an ongoing commitment to
43 apprehend impaired drivers, was successful in removing 4,625 drivers from the highways;
44 WHEREAS, in 2009, the Utah Highway Patrol successfully made 1,233 interdiction
45 arrests, 161 significant pipeline seizures, including 285 pounds of cocaine, 2,722 pounds of
46 marijuana, 25 pounds of methamphetamine, thousands of pills, and $1.8 million in cash;
47 WHEREAS, in 2009, the Utah Highway Patrol was able to assist 53,569 motorists
48 stranded on the highways and save numerous lives making 84 rescues with the assistance of
49 the Aero Bureau;
50 WHEREAS, in 2009, the Utah Highway Patrol investigated 18,129 vehicle crashes
51 statewide in a professional and exemplary manner;
52 WHEREAS, the Utah Highway Patrol has 14 troopers who have made the ultimate
53 sacrifice with their lives in the past 75 years, and numerous other troopers who have been
54 seriously injured while protecting the public; and
55 WHEREAS, the sworn personnel and non-sworn personnel of the Utah Highway
56 Patrol, serving in capacities ranging from pilots, investigators, clerical positions, and
57 dispatchers to the troopers patrolling Utah's highways, should be recognized for the excellent

58 and essential job that they do:
59 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
60 expresses appreciation to past and present members of the Utah Highway Patrol for their 75
61 years of honorable service to the state of Utah on this the 75th anniversary of the Highway
62 Patrol.
63 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be prepared and
64 forwarded to the Utah Highway Patrol.