Utah Senate honors Walk for Peace monks and a local councilwoman who lost her son in Ukraine

The Utah State Senate opened its floor session with two formal recognitions, honoring a cross-country Walk for Peace and a local public servant grieving a wartime loss.

Senator Luz Escamilla presented a citation recognizing venerable Duong Phanet Ming Sisupan and venerable Vilasak Chalunsuk of Wat Lao (Salt Lake) for joining 20 other monks and a companion dog, Aloka, in a 2,300-mile Walk for Peace from Fort Worth to Washington over roughly 109 days. According to the citation read on the floor, the walkers offered blessings, distributed peace bracelets, and endured significant hardship and injuries while promoting compassion and coexistence.

Separately, Senator Lincoln Fillmore and colleagues recognized Janine Burton, a member of the Santa Clara City Council, for lifelong civic and educational service. Senator Fillmore announced Burton had received notice from the U.S. Embassy that her son, Trevor John Crane, who volunteered with the International Legion for the Defense of Ukraine, was killed in Kharkiv. The Senate observed a moment of silence and offered Burton condolences.

Why this matters: The recognitions emphasize the Senate’s ceremonial role in honoring community service and sacrifice. The citation highlights Utah-based faith leaders’ national outreach, while the tribute to Burton brought a personal wartime loss into the chamber and prompted a cross‑chamber expression of sympathy.

The Senate then moved to its legislative calendar and began third‑reading business. The recognitions carry no legislative action but were recorded in the Senate journal and widely noted by members.

The Senate’s proceedings continued with bills placed on the third‑reading calendar and a series of committee reports and votes to follow later in the day.