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SALT LAKE CITY -- The Salt Lake Chamber will honor Bishop H. David Burton of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Wednesday night with its most prestigious business award "A Giant in Our City." Many say his influence goes far beyond his faith.
As Burton recently overlooked the rising of City Creek Centre, he said, "This is one of the largest developments in the western part of the United States."
Burton has been the visionary and point man since the beginning.
"I see the LDS Church as not only a critical partner for us in terms of success, but really sharing a lot of the same vision for the future of our city," said Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker.
As Presiding Bishop of the church, he and his counselors are responsible for the business, financial, welfare and humanitarian areas for the church. They organized relief efforts following the Southeast-Asian tsunami in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Burton himself took a $1 million donation to Primary Children's Medical Center last year.
He has handled challenges in the community as well -- one of them the controversial Main St. Plaza.
"We want the public to enjoy the facility and (know) that there's a standard of expectation of anyone who traverses the Church property," he said.
"Bishop Burton is no stranger, I think, to any of the nonprofits in our community. He has a quiet way of keeping in touch," said Mat Minkevitch, executive director of The Road Home.
"Bishop Burton and the LDS Church Foundation was one of those leaders that actually was the capstone gift to help this organization through this difficult time," said Melia Tourangeau, president and CEO of the Utah Symphony and Utah Opera.
Burton feels comfortable, they say, with the arts and those in need. He will, with business savvy, see City Creek rise.
"By the first quarter of 2012, we'll be finished and have a grand opening," Burton said.
His colleagues in the faith and community call H. David Burton a leader with vision and heart.
The Salt Lake Chamber's dinner and program take place Wednesday evening at the Grand America Hotel.
E-mail: cmikita@ksl.com
