A Nebraska state senator who died last week was honored on the floor of the Legislature as lawmakers began the 2012 session.
State senators observed a moment of silence Wednesday for the
late Sen. Dennis Utter of Hastings, who died last week after a
prolonged fight with a lung disease.
Sen. Galen Hadley of Kearney described the 72-year-old Utter as
a compass who helped guide the Legislature during his three years
in office. Hadley remembered his colleague as a family man,
businessman, state senator and a Nebraskan who believed in his
state.
Utter was elected in 2008. He served on the Revenue and Banking,
Commerce and Insurance Committee.