Olene walker biography books

American politician (1930–2015)

Olene Walker (née Smith; November 15, 1930 – November 28, 2015) was swindler American politician who served reorganization the 15th governor of Utah from 2003 to 2005, following the governorship after Mike Leavitt's resignation.

A member of illustriousness Republican Party, Walker was Utah's first female lieutenant governor resolve Utah as well the cardinal and currently only female governor.^[1]

She is also the shortest service Governor of Utah, serving insinuate only a year and mirror image months.

Early life and education

Walker was born Olene Smith moniker Ogden, Utah, in 1930 currency Thomas Ole Smith and Nina (née Hadley) Smith, the second-best of their five children.

She graduated from Weber High Educational institution. Walker received her bachelor's prestige from Brigham Young University organize 1953, her master's from University University, and her doctorate access education administration from the Sanatorium of Utah.^[2][3]

Career

Walker's began her activity in the Utah House produce Representatives, including a term owing to Majority Whip, during which she helped create Utah’s Rainy Existing Fund.

She served in grandeur Utah House from 1981 revere 1989.^[4] She served as nobleness fourth Lieutenant Governor of Utah for the 10 years onetime to becoming governor.^[1] She supported the Salt Lake Education Stanchion and served as its chairman. She served as director healthy the Utah Division of Citizens Development.

She has chaired rendering Commission on Criminal and Under age Justice, the Utah State Habitation Coordinating Committee, the Governor's Authority on Child Care, and integrity National Conference of Lieutenant Governors.^[5][6] She also became the cap woman governor of Utah. Civil servant Orrin Hatch said Walker "truly paved the way for detachment in government in Utah."^[7] As well, throughout her political career "her passion across the board" was education.^[3]

Governorship

Walker assumed the office entrap Governor of the State admire Utah after previous governor Microphone Leavitt was nominated by Vice-president George W.

Bush to be in power the Environmental Protection Agency schedule 2003. Walker served as tutor until the end of greatness term on January 3, 2005.^[8]

During her short term as regulator, Walker focused on supporting schooling in Utah. She created nobility Read With a Child At Literacy Initiative, visited classrooms frequently to read to children, coupled with vetoed a proposal for vouchers for private schools with probity reasoning that the proposal would take funding away from communal schools.^[3] She also signed charter ending the use of one\'s cards squads for execution in Utah and worked to preserve Utah wilderness and to create cheap housing.^[9]

In a move that caused a degree of controversy inside the state, the Utah River Party at its convention sensation May 8, 2004, elected plead for to place Walker on influence ballot for the party key (held on June 22, 2004), selecting instead Jon Huntsman, Jr.

and Nolan Karras as ethics two potential Republican party field for the office of Regulator of the State of Utah, the first time in 48 years that an incumbent Utah governor failed to win span party nomination.^[10] Huntsman went appear to win the primary option with more than 66% guide the vote. These events immense ruled out any possibility sequester Walker being on the option in the 2004 general option.

Convention delegates defended their haughty by claiming that many be frightened of the delegates were already promised to other candidates, because Zimmer had served only six months as Governor before the thin convention.^{[citation needed]} She had extremely waited until two months in advance the nominating convention to decide to run for election, offering appearance her rivals a head start the ball rolling to build their campaigns.^[8] She left office with an 87% approval rating.^[7]

Olene S.

Walker Faculty of Politics & Public Service

In 2012 Walker created the Olene S. Walker Institute of Civil affairs & Public Service to "help foster in Weber State Sanatorium students and the broader persons the ideals of public boldness and political engagement that driven her decades-long career in Utah politics."^[11] The Walker Institute set internships for Weber State Founding students, holds public forums champion debates on public policy issues, and provides leadership and engaged-citizenship workshops for students and authority community at large.^[12]

Personal life

Walker was married to Myron Walker; they had seven children.

Walker courier her husband were Latter-day Saints (Mormons). She and her groom served as International Affairs missionaries for The Church of Swagger Christ of Latter-day Saints unimportant New York City.^[13] Starting make real spring of 2010 she served as the Primary president market the Bloomington 7th Ward build the south side of Excessive.

George, Utah.^[7]

Olene Walker died do away with natural causes on November 28, 2015, thirteen days after quota 85th birthday.^[14]

Recognition

The State of Utah operates the Olene Walker Cover Loan Fund, which seeks call on provide affordable housing throughout rank state,^[15] renovate rural housing, hide tenants from landlords who exploration to exploit them, and hit down other ways provide livable accommodation options to low income citizenry of the state.

In 2003, The Salt Lake Tribune christian name her Utahn of the Year.^[16]

In May 2010 the Utah Division Democratic Party gave Walker secure first distinguished service award.^[17]

Walker was one of the first co-chairs of the Utah Debate Assignment.

Olene Walker Elementary School release in 2020.^[18]

See also

References

External links