Senator Hatch's Trip to Israel

Today Senator Orrin Hatch came for a visit at the Jerusalem Center. He arrived around 12:30 PM and for the next 1-1/2 hours had a private lunch with the students (no faculty) where he talked to them about national security, LDS/Jewish relations, answered a few questions but was smart not to mention politics. Afterwards, he and his entourage toured the center. He went into our office where Garth was working and said hello before he looked around the center. He was cordial and friendly to everyone and right before leaving, he and his three body guards and others accompanying him, came into the auditorium and I was asked to give a short organ recital.

As the longest serving member of the majority party, Hatch, age 81, was given this position after Republicans took control of the Senate in the fall of 2015. He was sworn in this past January, 2016.

One of his duties is the signing of legislation that’s been passed by both chambers before it leaves Congress on its way to the White House. As the holder of this post, he presides over the Senate when it is in session and as the President Pro Tempore, it puts him third in line to the Presidency after the Vice President and the Speak of the House.

When he was leaving the auditorium, I was pleasantly surprised when he gave me a President Pro Tempore coin pictured here. He told me to keep it because there aren't many of these around. He thanked me for my music, gave me a hug then asked one of his body guards to take our photo.

This information was posted on Senator Hatch's website today: This week, U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch will visit Israel in his capacity as President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate. The role of Senate President Pro Tempore involves several important national security and foreign policy responsibilities, especially given the office's position third in line of presidential succession. Additionally, as the most experienced and senior member of the majority party, the President Pro Tempore plays an important advisory role for his colleagues in Senate leadership.

While in Israel, Senator Hatch will hold one-on-one meetings with key Israeli leaders and officials to discuss issues of mutual concern including national security, terrorism, religious liberty and LDS/Jewish relations.

Notable Events this week in Israel: Holocaust Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony at Yad Veshem Holocaust Memorial. Visit to the Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies. Dinner with Christian IDF soldiers and soldiers from Utah.

After Senator Hatch left, I went back into the auditorium and prepared for two more organ recital as tours were coming through. This was an interesting day and one more new experience in Israel!