Salt Lake County Utah

On March 10, 2007, County Mayor Peter Cooroon declared Salt Lake County a Community of Peace, and May 10^th “Community of Peace Day.”

The declaration was made after the county fulfilled a year’s worth of requirements, including:

• Making thirty-six sections for the Children’s Cloth of Many Colors peace quilt.  These sections represented children from various churches and places of worship, scouting organizations, interfaith groups, and neighborhoods.
• Two “peace forums” hosted by Salt Lake County’s newly formed Diversity Council.
• The installation of a peace pole and peace garden.

Several dozen awards were presented to community leaders from organizations including the Utah Pride Center, the Girls Scouts of Utah, Salt Lake Community College and Centro de La Familia.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. spoke about what it meant for Salt Lake County to receive the Community of Peace designation.

"What this will help others discover is that peace begins at local levels," Huntsman said. "Because if you can't do it from there and come together as one, you can kiss peace goodbye."

Huntsman also recognized Noor Ul-Hasan, chair of the CODA committee, for her service in making the recognition a reality. In an emotional speech, Ul-Hasan thanked Huntsman and said she hoped the national award would help bring diverse groups together in a peaceful way.

Annual Celebration with Governor Huntsman,
Mayor Corroon and the Diversity Council