Utah leaders react to death of Nevada’s Harry Reid
Dec 29, 2021, 7:37 AM
FILE: In this photo provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, (D-NV), his wife Landra, Sen. Orrin Hatch, (R-UT), and his wife Elaine attend the funeral of President Gordon B. Hinckley, leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center Feb. 2, 2008 in Salt Lake City, Utah. As senators, Hatch and Reid were two of the highest-politically-ranking members of the church. (Photo by Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints via Getty Images)
(Photo by Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY — When Harry Reid died this week, the United States and the Senate mourned one of Nevada’s best-known residents as well as one of the most well-known members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Nevada Democrat served 30 years in the Senate, eight of them as Senate Majority Leader.
Utah politicians remember Harry Reid
Utah political leaders were quick to respond to the news. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, called Reid a “kind, caring friend” in a tweet noting the late senator once attended the same ward as Lee and served as his home teacher.
— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) December 29, 2021
Retired Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, called Reid “the embodiment of the American Dream” in a tweet from his Orrin G. Hatch Foundation.
“Harry Reid was the embodiment of the American Dream. He worked his way up from a hardscrabble youth to become the Senate Majority Leader. I’m grateful to have known Harry & to have called him a friend. My heart goes out to the Reid family at this difficult time.”
-OGH— Orrin G. Hatch Foundation (@OrrinHatch) December 29, 2021
Education and faith leaders react
Southern Utah University, from which Reid graduated, issued a statement describing the late senator as a “classic SUU success story.” In part, that statement reads:
He was from a rural Nevada community and he thrived at the College of Southern Utah (now Southern Utah University). He was involved in extra-curricular activities, discovered a love for learning and realized if he worked hard, he could succeed anywhere. He rose to national prominence and dedicated his life to public service. SUU is honored to be part of Sen. Reid’s story.
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offered condolences to Reid’s family in a statement. In part, that statement reads:
Sen. Reid was a devoted and capable public servant who was dedicated to his family, his faith, and his country. We are grateful for his tireless service in each of these facets of a life well-lived.
Reid battled pancreatic cancer toward the end of his life. His death comes just two weeks after Las Vegas renamed its McCarran International Airport to bear the name Harry Reid International.
