The Utah Democratic Party approached the Presidential Inauguration Committee in December about the possibility of the University of Utah marching band representing our state in the inaugural parade on January 20th.  Now the U of U needs our help to secure the funds to make sure they can go to Washington.  Information on how you can help is provided below.

According to the Salt Lake Tribune "the University of Utah marching band has been invited to represent Utah in the inaugural parade on January 20th, but need financial to make it.  In these difficult financial times, the U of U does not have the discretionary funds to send them on their own."

The Deseret Morning News reports on the State Democratic Party's role in bring the U of U band to the Presidential Inauguration Committee's attention:

Utah Democratic Party Chairman Wayne Holland provided Barack Obama's Presidential Inaugural Committee with the idea, and the Utes received an official invitation Monday. They have yet to accept and must complete FBI background checks on all band members as one of the qualifications to participate in the 56th Inaugural Parade.

"The University of Utah was a hotbed of activity for the Obama campaign," Holland said, adding that many student volunteers from the U. and neighboring Brigham Young University ended up helping out in the battleground state of Colorado prior to the 2008 election.

People interested in pledging donations to send Utah's Marching Utes to the Jan. 20 presidential inauguration may call 1-800-716-0377 or visit the university's Web site, www.utah.edu.