The Utah County Democratic Party presented its first Distinguished Service Award to former Governor Olene Walker at its annual spring dinner, Saturday, May 22 at the Covey Center for the Arts, Provo. Over 100 well wishers filled the dining room to capacity to honor Gov. Walker, the first woman to serve as Utah governor. The keynote speaker was former Utah Senate minority leader Scott Howell.
 
Gov. Walker, a Republican, received two standing ovations and was interrupted by applause several times during her remarks by the enthusiastic crowd. She said she is deeply concerned about the deterioration in civility and cooperation between the major political parties. “The political parties have become more about control and power than solving problems,” she said. “What this world needs now is more statesmen and stateswomen and fewer politicians.”  She also expressed alarm at the state legislature’s inadequate funding of public and higher education in Utah.  “By ignoring our education, we are ignoring our future,” she said.

The dinner received significant media coverage due to the unusual spectacle of a Republican former Governor being honored by Democrats in a time of political extremes, divisiveness and polarization.  During a recent interview, Richard Davis, chair of the Utah County Democratic Party, said the party honored Walker because she was “a public servant who was able to reach across the aisle and work with Democrats and Republicans. She appealed to the mainstream."

Sen. Scott Howell, Utah County Democratic Party Chair Richard Davis, Gov. Olene Walker

Gov. Olene Walker, Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon