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6 Cosponsors:
7 J. Stuart Adams
8 Curtis S. Bramble
9 Allen M. Christensen
10 Jim Dabakis
11 Gene Davis
12 Margaret Dayton
13 Luz Escamilla
14 Lincoln Fillmore
15 Wayne A. Harper
Deidre M. Henderson
Lyle W. Hillyard
David P. Hinkins
Alvin B. Jackson
Scott K. Jenkins
Peter C. Knudson
Mark B. Madsen
Karen Mayne
Ann Millner
Wayne L. Niederhauser
Ralph Okerlund
Brian E. Shiozawa
Howard A. Stephenson
Jerry W. Stevenson
Daniel W. Thatcher
Stephen H. Urquhart
Kevin T. Van Tassell
Evan J. Vickers
Todd Weiler
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17 LONG TITLE
18 General Description:
19 This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor recognizes the life and
20 service of Randy Horiuchi.
21 Highlighted Provisions:
22 This resolution:
23 ▸ recognizes the life and service of Randy Horiuchi to the citizens of Utah.
24 Special Clauses:
25 None
26
27 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
28 WHEREAS, Randy Horiuchi served as chairman of the Utah Democratic Party and
29 spent 22 years on the Salt Lake County Council and former Salt Lake County Commission;
30 WHEREAS, Randy passed away on November 19, 2015;
31 WHEREAS, Randy was an institution in Salt Lake County government;
32 WHEREAS, Randy's well-known love for sports was only exceeded by his devotion to
33 politics and the Democratic Party;
34 WHEREAS, Randy's long career in public service started with his election as student
35 body president of Cottonwood High School;
36 WHEREAS, Randy was a state high school debate champion;
37 WHEREAS, Randy's foray into politics began when he was 16 years old when he and
38 his brother Wayne walked door-to-door assisting in Raymond Uno's successful campaign for a
39 judgeship;
40 WHEREAS, Randy almost won a seat on the Granite School Board before graduating
41 from the University of Utah and becoming a teacher at Kearns High School;
42 WHEREAS, Randy worked for the Salt Lake Chamber, where he began lobbying and
43 getting to know many more people on both sides of the political aisle;
44 WHEREAS, when he was not holding an office, Randy ran the election campaigns of
45 some of the state's most notable Democrats, including campaigns for Dan Berman, Kem
46 Gardner, and Ted Wilson;
47 WHEREAS, in the mid-1980s Randy served as the Utah Democratic Party chairman
48 and helped build a generation of Democratic leaders, including Blaze Wharton, Jenny Wilson,
49 Frank Pignanelli, Jill Remington Love, Kelly Atkinson, and Sherrie Swensen;
50 WHEREAS, while serving as Utah Democratic Party chairman, Randy once attended a
51 news conference wearing a hazmat suit;
52 WHEREAS, while this and other actions may sometimes have been gimmicks, they
53 always had a purpose behind them and demonstrated Randy's skill in attracting attention to an
54 important issue in a way that was dramatic and got to the heart of the issue;
55 WHEREAS, Randy's enthusiasm was contagious and helped him to develop an
56 uncanny ability to gauge situations and bring people together to find solutions to problems;
57 WHEREAS, Randy was always willing to give a helping hand and was fiercely loyal to
58 his friends;
59 WHEREAS, although an avid Democrat, Randy had as many friends who were
60 Republican as were Democrat;
61 WHEREAS, Randy had a conscience about a lot of issues and was able to say things
62 that needed to be said in a way that was not offensive to anyone because he said them with a
63 sense of humor perfect for the occasion;
64 WHEREAS, Randy was recognized as a force of nature in Utah politics for decades,
65 with unmatched instincts and savvy in political circles;
66 WHEREAS, Randy possessed a rare talent for taking on his opposition with force and
67 skill, yet he rarely let political debate get personal;
68 WHEREAS, Randy's love and enthusiasm for politics was contagious and motivated
69 countless young people to join and remain part of the Utah Democratic Party;
70 WHEREAS, Randy was known for his outgoing nature, but friends say he was
71 successful because he could deal one-on-one with anyone and knew how to connect with
72 people on a personal level, whether it was a homeless person on the street or a person in high
73 political office;
74 WHEREAS, Randy was approachable, was famous for making the people he was
75 talking to at the moment feel like they were "the best," and was so sincere that people really
76 believed they were "the best";
77 WHEREAS, people loved Randy because when he visited with them, he made them
78 feel as though their visit was all about them rather than about himself;
79 WHEREAS, although known for being happy, witty, and charming, Randy knew how
80 to get down to business and serve as a catalyst to get important things done;
81 WHEREAS, Randy was quick to see a person's good qualities and always ready to
82 make a new friend;
83 WHEREAS, while many people Randy mentored over the years had loftier ambitions
84 than local government, Randy chose to serve in county government and once explained, "The
85 privilege has been mine for working for a government that's so misunderstood. It's the Rodney
86 Dangerfield of governments";
87 WHEREAS, Randy added that county government is close to people, some of whom
88 rely on the help they receive from the county, whether through Meals on Wheels for seniors or
89 mental health services;
90 WHEREAS, Randy said of county government that "It's where the action is. It's where
91 people really care about other people";
92 WHEREAS, Randy was skilled in helping people forget their differences by getting
93 them to laugh together;
94 WHEREAS, Randy was well known for such phrases as "nowhere in the history of the
95 universe" and "I'm in, I'm in";
96 WHEREAS, in December 2014, friends, family, and politicians paid tribute to Randy at
97 a luncheon as he prepared to leave public service;
98 WHEREAS, the event culminated with an announcement of the new Randy Horiuchi
99 Political Fellowship at Westminster College, where Randy had taught as an adjunct professor;
100 WHEREAS, the fellowship will be awarded to two Westminster College interns, one
101 each to assist the state Democratic and Republican parties during general election years;
102 WHEREAS, until shortly before his untimely death, Randy continued to introduce
103 others to government service and encourage countless others to run for office;
104 WHEREAS, Randy loved his family, the people with whom he served, his community,
105 and the political process;
106 WHEREAS, Randy's greatest legacy is his children -- Shane, Andrew, and Maddie, the
107 most amazing, cute, and smart daughter "ever known to mankind," and his lovable Bichon
108 Frise, Lola;
109 WHEREAS, Randy championed the great state of Utah for more than 25 years, giving
110 generously of his time, talents, and resources to enhance the lives of Utah residents, particularly
111 in Salt Lake County; and
112 WHEREAS, Randy's public service will forever be marked by his passion and unending
113 optimism:
114 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
115 Governor concurring therein, recognizes the life and service of Randy Horiuchi to the citizens
116 of the state of Utah.
117 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be presented to Randy
118 Horiuchi's family.