Utah Senate honors fallen K9 Eros and recognizes Lowell Bennion Center's 35 years

The Utah Senate used the personal-privilege portion of its extraordinary session to honor Utah Highway Patrol canine Eros and to recognize the Lowell Bennion Center for Community Engagement's 35th anniversary.

Senator Don Ibsen invited the Highway Patrol's canine units into the chamber and described the contribution of working dogs to Capitol security and public safety. The reading clerk recited a citation noting that Eros served in the U.S. Army's special forces group and later provided explosive detection and protection duties for the Utah Highway Patrol. The citation states Eros performed daily legislative-security sweeps and supported dignitary protection; it also records that Eros was adopted by his handler, Sergeant Aaron Colvin, after retirement and that he died on 07/18/2022 from respiratory complications.

Senator Janie Iwamoto introduced guests from the Lowell Bennion Center, and the Senate read a citation recognizing the center's 35 years at the University of Utah, noting programs such as Bennion Scholars, community-engaged learning, alternative breaks and more than 140,000 hours of community contributions.

The recognitions were presented near the session's close before the Senate adjourned.