Monday, September 14, 2009

Become a Utah State Capitol facebook Fan!!!

Within the next week, we will be deleting our Utah State Capitol “friends” page and will strictly be working through our Utah State Capitol “fan” page to gain more interaction!

If you aren’t already, we would like to encourage you to become of FAN of the Utah State Capitol to stay informed of fun events, free activities and important news happening throughout the state!
click to view our facebook Fan page!


Governors: Calvin Lewellyn Rampton

CALVIN LEWELLYN RAMPTON
1913–2007

Born in 1913, Calvin Lewellyn Rampton was Utah’s third governor elected from Davis County. He attended the University of Utah and served in the Utah National Guard during World War II in Europe where he received a Bronze Star. Rampton’s early career was spent as the Davis County Attorney and the assistant attorney general for Utah. A lifelong Democrat, Rampton ran unsuccessfully for the United States Senate in 1954 and 1962. Although discouraged by these losses, he accepted his party’s nomination for governor and won that office in 1964.

Rampton asked the Legislature for increased spending for education, passage of three civil rights bills, and the right to use federal funds for urban renewal, and the Legislature responded favorably to a majority of his requests. The 1967 Legislature approved $117 million for higher education, more than Rampton had requested.

Rampton easily won re-election in 1968 and 1972 making him Utah’s first and only governor to serve three full terms. As governor, Rampton worked with business leaders and championed industrial development, tourism, development of energy resources and expansion of the defense industry in Utah. During his third term, he recommended ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. He supported state building projects, including Salt Lake City’s Symphony Hall (now Abravanel Hall), the Salt Lake Arts Center, and numerous public schools.

Throughout his three terms in office, “Cal” Rampton remained a popular governor. The Calvin L. Rampton Complex, which houses the Utah Department of Transport and the Utah Department of Public Safety, as well as Cal Rampton Boardroom at the Capitol are named after him. After Rampton’s death in 2007, the Salt Palace Convention Center was renamed the Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center in his honor.

ARTIST

Alvin L. Gittins (1922–1981), one of Utah’s finest painters, came from England to study art at Brigham Young University. He later taught for many years at the University of Utah. Gittins was Utah’s most dominant portrait painter and was noted for his ability to capture his subject’s personality as well as likeness and for his masterly traditional styles. He also painted Governor Matheson’s portrait.

Movie Under the Stars Survey!!


What movie would you like to see featured during next summer’s Movie Under the Stars series at the Utah State Capitol?

Answer us at:


Or email capitoltours@utah.gov


Friday, September 11, 2009

Governors: George Dewey Clyde

GEORGE DEWEY CLYDE
1898–1972


George Dewey Clyde was born in 1898 in Springville, Utah. He earned a master’s degree in civil engineering and taught classes at Utah State Agricultural College (now Utah State University), that focused on hydraulic and fluid mechanics and irrigation methods. He was a successful researcher and published nearly 50 articles in engineering journals. Governor Blood appointed Clyde as the State Water Conservator in 1934, at the height of Utah’s worst drought.

As governor, Clyde emphasized strict economy in government and advocated for states’ water rights against the federal government. Utah saw some great changes during Clyde’s years as governor. He oversaw the construction of a multimillion-dollar interstate highway, the building of the University of Utah’s medical school, and the creation of Canyonlands National Park. He defended minority rights, opposing a “Sunday closing” bill, arguing that not all religions viewed Sunday as the Sabbath. He remained unfailingly dedicated to water projects in Utah during his two terms as governor.

ARTIST

Everett “Ev” Clark Thorpe (1904–1983) began his art career as a sports artist for The Deseret News and The Salt Lake Tribune. In Utah, he studied under LeConte Stewart and Calvin Fletcher. He also studied art at the Los Angeles County Art Institute, Syracuse University, and the Hans Hofmann School of Art in Massachusetts. Thorpe taught art at Utah State University for 40 years, and his work ranged from illustration to portraiture to mural projects. Thorpe painted Governor Clyde in his professional environment, standing in Utah’s arid southwest desert with plans for the Glen Canyon dam in hand.

God Bless America

Eight years after the September 11th attacks, America and it's people are still showing their reverence and respect for those lost.
The Capitol Preservation Board would like to take this time to remember all of those brave men and women who have, and are, defending our freedom today!
Thank you!

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Thank you Summer Interns!

The Capitol Preservation Board would like to give a special heartfelt thanks to the summer Interns who helped put on Capitol Discovery Day!
We couldn't have done it without them!!!

Governors: Joseph Bracken Lee

The Utah State Capitol’s first floor will see changes in the upcoming weeks with the addition of biography plaques in the Hall of Governors. A biography plaque will hang next to each portrait of our Utah’s governors. We will be posting an example of what will be on the plaque every day. Stay tuned to read about your favorite Governor!

JOSEPH BRACKEN LEE
1899–1996
Joseph Bracken Lee was born in Price, Utah in 1899. He served in the army during World War I and owned successful insurance businesses and real estate. He began his political career as the mayor of Price, an office he held for 12 years. After Lee made several unsuccessful bids for Congress and governor, he was elected governor in 1948.

Lee gained national attention for his battle against federal income tax and his ideas regarding reform in state government. He made deep cuts in many state agency budgets, despite Utah’s $9 million surplus in the budget. He reorganized the welfare, highway, and education departments and created a state motor pool. A controversial governor, Lee often stated his low opinion of teachers and school administrators, which eventually united the entire educational establishment against him. Despite having some political enemies, Lee’s popularity as governor remained intact enough for him to win a second term.

After losing a bid for a third term, running on the Independent ticket, Lee continued to run for other public offices including senator and mayor. In 1959 he became the mayor of Salt Lake City and served for 12 years. When he retired at age 73, Lee had served an impressive 32 years in elective office for the state of Utah.

ARTIST

C.J. Fox is a mystery to the Capitol Preservation Board. No records remain as to when Governor Lee’s portrait was painted or even what Fox’s first name was.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

More Capitol Discovery Day pic's!!!

Visit our Picasa link below for more pictures on events held throughout Capitol Discovery Day last Saturday!