Shliach Delivers Utah Invocation

By Robert Gehrke, The Salt Lake Tribune

The conditions for Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.’s second inaugural couldn’t have been more different than they were four years ago.

Instead of inheriting a booming economy at a lavish indoor ceremony, Huntsman took the oath of office Monday in a stripped-down event on the steps of the State Capitol with weather as bleak as the state’s frost-bitten economy.

“Our state has rarely confronted the challenges that now stand before us,” Huntsman said during his abbreviated inaugural remarks, as temperatures dipped below 20 degrees.

The governor enters his second and, he says, final term in office after an overwhelming electoral victory — he received 78 percent of the vote — but a state economy on very shaky ground. He has proposed a state budget for the coming year $1 billion smaller than last, and fissures are already developing with new leaders in the House and Senate.

“We will prevail. We always have. To the people of this great state, my message to you is a simple one: When times get tough our resolve is tested,” he said. “It is only through adversity that we are sometimes able to appreciate the strength of our fellow citizens and the goodness of our communities.”

While inaugural addresses are typically light on policy, Huntsman identified three priorities for his second term — education, health insurance reform and caring for the needy.

“In electing Mr. Huntsman to a second term as governor, the citizens of Utah have made as strong a statement possible that Governor Huntsman is worthy of their trust,” said Rabbi Benny Zippel, executive director of Chabad Lubavitch of Utah, during his invocation.

“Governor Huntsman’s ability, fiscal responsibility and professionalism have propelled the state of Utah to the vanguard of success in these troubling times.”

INVOCATION FOR GOVERNOR JON M. HUNTSMAN’S INAUGURATION

JANUARY 5, 2009

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – STATE CAPITOL

Al-Mighty G-d, we are gathered here today on the steps of the Capitol of our great State of Utah, to once again inaugurate your humble servant, Jon M. Huntsman Jr., as Governor of the State of Utah. In electing Mr. Huntsman to a second term as Governor, the citizens of Utah have made the strongest statement possible, that Governor Huntsman is worthy of their trust.

O Father in Heaven, the citizens of Utah are a G-d fearing people. They recognize You as the Sovereign Ruler of the universe, and they observe the sacred code of laws which you, o G-d, mandated to Noah and his family after the Great Flood, as related in the Biblical Book of Genesis and its sacred commentary:

1. To Worship You Alone

2. Never to Blaspheme Your Holy Name

3. Not to Commit Murder

4. Not to Commit Adultery, Incest or any other Sexual Misdeeds

5. Not to Steal, Lie, Cheat or Deceive

6. Not to be Cruel to any Living Creature

7. That Every Society Govern by Just Laws, with the Recognition and Acknowledgement of You, O G-d, as the Sovereign Ruler of Humanity

Living by this sacred code, Governor Jon M. Huntsman Jr. has earned the respect and admiration of the citizens of Utah. Governor Huntsman’s ability, fiscal responsibility and professionalism have propelled the State of Utah at the vanguard of success in these most troubling times.

Bless him, Al-Mighty G-d, and bless his family, with good health, long life, good cheer, physically, materially and spiritually.

Bless all of us—citizens of Utah and all the citizens of our great country, the United States of America, as we proudly proclaim in our pledge of allegiance, that we are one nation—UNDER G-D, with liberty and justice for all.

AMEN