2
3
4
5
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor recognizes the life and
10 service of Randy Horiuchi.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This resolution:
13 ▸ recognizes the life and service of Randy Horiuchi to the citizens of Utah.
14 Special Clauses:
15 None
16
17 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
18 WHEREAS, Randy Horiuchi served as chairman of the Utah Democratic Party and
19 spent 22 years on the Salt Lake County Council and former Salt Lake County Commission;
20 WHEREAS, Randy passed away on November 19, 2015;
21 WHEREAS, Randy was an institution in Salt Lake County government;
22 WHEREAS, Randy's well-known love for sports was only exceeded by his devotion to
23 politics and the Democratic Party;
24 WHEREAS, Randy's long career in public service started with his election as student
25 body president of Cottonwood High School;
26 WHEREAS, Randy was a state high school debate champion;
27 WHEREAS, Randy's foray into politics began when he was 16 years old when he and
28 his brother Wayne walked door-to-door assisting in Raymond Uno's successful campaign for a
29 judgeship;
30 WHEREAS, Randy almost won a seat on the Granite School Board before graduating
31 from the University of Utah and becoming a teacher at Kearns High School;
32 WHEREAS, Randy worked for the Salt Lake Chamber, where he began lobbying and
33 getting to know many more people on both sides of the political aisle;
34 WHEREAS, when he was not holding an office, Randy ran the election campaigns of
35 some of the state's most notable Democrats, including campaigns for Dan Berman, Kem
36 Gardner, and Ted Wilson;
37 WHEREAS, in the mid-1980s Randy served as the Utah Democratic Party chairman
38 and helped build a generation of Democratic leaders, including Blaze Wharton, Jenny Wilson,
39 Frank Pignanelli, Jill Remington Love, Kelly Atkinson, and Sherrie Swensen;
40 WHEREAS, while serving as Utah Democratic Party chairman, Randy once attended a
41 news conference wearing a hazmat suit;
42 WHEREAS, while this and other actions may sometimes have been gimmicks, they
43 always had a purpose behind them and demonstrated Randy's skill in attracting attention to an
44 important issue in a way that was dramatic and got to the heart of the issue;
45 WHEREAS, Randy's enthusiasm was contagious and helped him to develop an
46 uncanny ability to gauge situations and bring people together to find solutions to problems;
47 WHEREAS, Randy was always willing to give a helping hand and was fiercely loyal to
48 his friends;
49 WHEREAS, although an avid Democrat, Randy had as many friends who were
50 Republican as were Democrat;
51 WHEREAS, Randy had a conscience about a lot of issues and was able to say things
52 that needed to be said in a way that was not offensive to anyone because he said them with a
53 sense of humor perfect for the occasion;
54 WHEREAS, Randy was recognized as a force of nature in Utah politics for decades,
55 with unmatched instincts and savvy in political circles;
56 WHEREAS, Randy possessed a rare talent for taking on his opposition with force and
57 skill, yet he rarely let political debate get personal;
58 WHEREAS, Randy's love and enthusiasm for politics was contagious and motivated
59 countless young people to join and remain part of the Utah Democratic Party;
60 WHEREAS, Randy was known for his outgoing nature, but friends say he was
61 successful because he could deal one-on-one with anyone and knew how to connect with
62 people on a personal level, whether it was a homeless person on the street or a person in high
63 political office;
64 WHEREAS, Randy was approachable, was famous for making the people he was
65 talking to at the moment feel like they were "the best," and was so sincere that people really
66 believed they were "the best";
67 WHEREAS, people loved Randy because when he visited with them, he made them
68 feel as though their visit was all about them rather than about himself;
69 WHEREAS, although known for being happy, witty, and charming, Randy knew how
70 to get down to business and serve as a catalyst to get important things done;
71 WHEREAS, Randy was quick to see a person's good qualities and always ready to
72 make a new friend;
73 WHEREAS, while many people Randy mentored over the years had loftier ambitions
74 than local government, Randy chose to serve in county government and once explained, "The
75 privilege has been mine for working for a government that's so misunderstood. It's the Rodney
76 Dangerfield of governments";
77 WHEREAS, Randy added that county government is close to people, some of whom
78 rely on the help they receive from the county, whether through Meals on Wheels for seniors or
79 mental health services;
80 WHEREAS, Randy said of county government that "It's where the action is. It's where
81 people really care about other people";
82 WHEREAS, Randy was skilled in helping people forget their differences by getting
83 them to laugh together;
84 WHEREAS, Randy was well known for such phrases as "nowhere in the history of the
85 universe" and "I'm in, I'm in";
86 WHEREAS, in December 2014, friends, family, and politicians paid tribute to Randy at
87 a luncheon as he prepared to leave public service;
88 WHEREAS, the event culminated with an announcement of the new Randy Horiuchi
89 Political Fellowship at Westminster College, where Randy had taught as an adjunct professor;
90 WHEREAS, the fellowship will be awarded to two Westminster College interns, one
91 each to assist the state Democratic and Republican parties during general election years;
92 WHEREAS, until shortly before his untimely death, Randy continued to introduce
93 others to government service and encourage countless others to run for office;
94 WHEREAS, Randy loved his family, the people with whom he served, his community,
95 and the political process;
96 WHEREAS, Randy's greatest legacy is his children -- Shane, Andrew, and Maddie, the
97 most amazing, cute, and smart daughter "ever known to mankind," and his lovable Bichon
98 Frise, Lola;
99 WHEREAS, Randy championed the great state of Utah for more than 25 years, giving
100 generously of his time, talents, and resources to enhance the lives of Utah residents, particularly
101 in Salt Lake County; and
102 WHEREAS, Randy's public service will forever be marked by his passion and unending
103 optimism:
104 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
105 Governor concurring therein, recognizes the life and service of Randy Horiuchi to the citizens
106 of the state of Utah.
107 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be presented to Randy
108 Horiuchi's family.
Legislative Review Note
Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel