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Mexican President Vicente Fox's visit is still not confirmed, but Utah leaders are busy making plans for the historic event.
On Thursday, the Governor's Office announced a "joint convention of the Legislature" - the first since the 1980s to honor an out-of state leader, then-Vice President George Bush. Fox is scheduled to speak to Utah's 104 lawmakers and some staff members on May 24 during his two-day visit.
Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. called for a special session of the Legislature on the same day.
Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, said Fox's visit is important and symbolic to Utah because of the state's strong ties to Mexico. Mormon pioneers first arrived in what is now Utah in 1847 when the land belonged to Mexico. Later, when Mormons were prosecuted by the U.S. Government for polygamy, some people headed to Mexico to seek refuge.
There is no time limit on Fox's speech and calling a joint convention is one of the highest honors the state can organize for a visiting head of state. A joint convention is usually called during the annual state legislative session when the governor gives the State of the State address.
Valentine said he met Tuesday with Huntsman and House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy, to discuss the joint convention. He said all 29 state senators have confirmed they will attend.
Curtis did not return several messages.
Fox, the first Mexican president to visit the Beehive state, is expected to arrive early the morning of May 23 and depart early evening on May 24. He is scheduled to speak at a luncheon for business owners and community leaders and later at a community meeting for Mexican citizens living in Utah. Fox is also likely to eat breakfast with Mexican business and community leaders and meet with officials of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Fox's office in Mexico City said Thursday she doesn't expect the Mexican Congress to vote on Fox's trip to Utah, Washington and California until next week. Congressional approval is required.
Salvador Jimenez, the Mexican consulate in Salt Lake City, said the reasons for Fox's trip are to maintain political dialogue, meet with the Mexican community and improve the business connections between Mexico and Utah. In April, 10 Utah companies sent representatives on a trade mission to Mexico.
Jimenez also said the president would talk about the importance of arts and cultural exchanges.
Fox's visit would be a follow-up to Huntsman's 30-minute meeting with the president in Mexico City in July 2005. At the time, Huntsman said Fox accepted an invitation to come to Utah sometime this year. Huntsman also announced his "Utah-Mexico Alliance for Prosperity" plan to foster more trade, educational and cultural ties between Mexico and Utah.
Valentine said Huntsman, a former U.S. ambassador, is a big part of why Fox is coming to Utah.
"He has the ability to work well in diplomatic circles," Valentine said.
Latinos make up 11 percent of the state's population. Of them, roughly 70 percent are of Mexican descent or from Mexico, the U.S. Census estimates.