State Senate Minority Leader Mike Dmitrich, a Price Democrat, underwent surgery Friday to remove a growth on one of his lungs and will be in the hospital for the first few days of the 2005 legislative session, which begins Monday. Dmitrich's daughter, Dana Dmitrich, said her 68-year-old father was conscious and aware after the surgery, which removed about a third of his left lung. She said it wasn't determined whether the growth was cancerous. Dana Dmitrich says her father "has a lot of work on the Hill that he wants to accomplish," and would be back to work soon. Senate Minority Whip Ron Allen, D-Stansbury Park, and Sen. Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake City, will fill in for Dmitrich in his committee roles, Allen said Friday. Dmitrich is the longest-serving legislator. He has been in office continuously since his first election to the House in 1968. - Thomas Burr