Senate honors Day of Remembrance, Topaz Museum founder and businessman Brandon Fugal

Senators opened the floor with a series of recognitions. Senator Escamilla spoke on the Day of Remembrance for the incarceration of Japanese Americans observed Feb. 19, thanked descendants in the gallery and acknowledged former Senator Jamie Iwamoto for sponsoring the state observance.

The chamber then honored Jane Beckwith, founder of the Topaz Museum, which preserves the history of the Topaz concentration camp. Senators noted Beckwith’s role in making Topaz history public, cited an estimate of 11,212 people of Japanese ancestry incarcerated there, and prepared a formal citation recognizing her decades of service.

Later, the Senate presented a citation to Brandon Fugal for leadership and philanthropy. The clerk’s reading cited a $5,000,000 gift that helped create the Brandon D. Fugal Gateway Building at Utah Valley University and referenced Fugal’s role in statewide development projects and the acquisition of Skinwalker Ranch, which drew national attention.

Members rose to recognize the guests in the gallery and presented formal citations for their service and contributions.