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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Move over "Utah We Love Thee," the state is on its way to adopting a new state song.
"Utah This is the Place" written by Springville residents Sam and Gary Francis was approved by the Utah House Wednesday as the state song by a vote of 57-10. Now the Senate will consider the change.
Before the vote, the song was performed for the state representatives by a group of elementary school students.
"It will make a difference in the lives of many children, not just today but for many years to come," said Rep. Dana Love, R-Syracuse, who said the song will be sung in the schools.
"Utah We Love Thee" would not disappear, however. Instead it would be the state's anthem.
During debate about the bill, there were questions about who would own the copyright to the song. Love said she would clear up any legal questions about using the song before the bill reaches the Senate.
Among the other official state designations are the elk as the state animal, the honeybee as the state insect, the Dutch oven is the state cooking pot and the square dance as the state folk dance.
