For immediate release.
The Utah State Archives and Records Service has added the records of former Governor Olene Walker to the Governors of Utah Digital Collection. This collection now includes more than 70,000 items of former Governors Michael O. Leavitt (1993-2003) and Olene S. Walker (2003-2004).
Governor Walker served for just over a year, however these records show the “footprints” she left on the State of Utah, from tax policy and making sure students master necessary, basic skills to interactions with citizens throughout the state–including visiting every community, including Yost (see “Farewell Speech”). For example, upon her inauguration in late 2003, hundreds of letters came from organizations and people in Utah and around the world with congratulations, as found in Constituent Correspondence.
The governor is the chief administrative officer of the state and a governor’s records are a valuable historical resource for both an account of the governor’s term and a chronicle of statewide and national events. These records shed light on Utah’s involvement in and reaction to national issues and responses at the time.
The Archives provides online, anytime access to students, educators and citizens interested in discovering such invaluable resources. It is hoped that more will be added from both recent and long past governors, and other historical records that are key to understanding the full story of Utah and its people.