This week, on Jan. 4, Utah marked our 127th year as a state.
This anniversary gives us the opportunity to promote our state as never before — by embracing a new Utah state flag design. This new flag gives us a chance to spark pride among younger Utahns. One terrific example is that electric moment in Pasadena when The Beehive Flag waved on the field with the University of Utah banners before the Rose Bowl game.
What makes this new design so remarkable is that it’s based on Utahns’ shared values. The symbols and colors are anchored in our state’s history, but incorporated in a clear, clean design that will be easily recognizable as it flies on a flagpole.
I ran the initial legislation in 2019 to create the Utah State Flag Task Force, and was honored to serve on it. Late last year, the task force unanimously voted to send the flag to the Utah Legislature to consider adopting in this year’s session.
I cast my vote after hearing from Utahns across the state. They were invested! I listened to the unprecedented groundswell of public opinion, which included 5,703 designs and another 1,000 ideas of symbols and colors, submitted by Utahns in all 29 counties. Those submissions led to 20 semi-final flag designs, which inspired opinions from more than 44,000 Utahns.
Those ideas led to our proposed design, which prominently spotlights the beehive as the heart of Utah culture. It represents our history and community spirit, as well as “Industry,” our state slogan.
The design is enhanced by the mountains that were vital sources of water, timber and granite to our region’s earliest residents, the same rugged peaks that represented home for Utah’s pioneers. At the bottom, the flag is anchored by depictions of Southern Utah’s iconic red rock landscapes, known throughout the world. Also spotlighted is an eight-pointed star, representing hope, and our state’s position as the country’s 45th star, as well as evoking Utah’s federally recognized Tribal Nations.
The red, white and blue colors represent Utahns’ love of country, freedom, knowledge, and tradition.
I’ve heard the critics who suggest even considering a new flag right now is a frivolous act. Naysayers suggest new marketing efforts won’t make a difference as our state faces a severe drought and ongoing conversations about funding our schools.
With all due respect, after serving in the Legislature for the past 12 years, I suggest Utah’s elected officials are capable of seriously considering big- and small-scale issues at the same time. I also suggest a flag design is about more than colored cloth.
A new state flag gives us a chance to think about what sets Utah apart. A new flag will be symbolic and powerful, at the same time we’re also discussing funding for water conservation and education programs.
I’ve listened to the voices of the Utahns who offered their feedback through this process. Which is why I think now – as we mark our state’s 127th anniversary – is the exact right time to embrace a new state flag. It’s a perfect time to rally together under a banner that unites us.
Stephen Handy, Layton, represented District 16 in the Utah House of Representatives. Utahns sign up at flag.utah.gov to get the latest information about when a new flag will be available for purchase.
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