Annual Pete Suazo Social Justice Awards

Senator Pete Suazo

Senator Pete Suazo, was born and raised in Salt Lake City. He attended the University of Utah, earning his bachelor’s degree in Sociology, and his master’s degree in Human Resource Management.

Through political advocacy, he worked to enact or change laws aimed at attacking the dynamics of race, class, and gender that kept people in the state from living the American Dream. He was elected to the Utah House of Representatives in 1992, then again in 1994. In 1996 Senator Suazo was elected to the Utah State Senate where he continued to fight for Utah ’s Latino/Hispanic population.

Senator Pete Suazo was a ceaseless advocate for civil rights and social justice. He worked to bring about social change in many ways. He started special programs, such as a boxing league for youth, participated in Neighborhood and Mobile Watch, was a Jr. Jazz, T-Ball, and Little League Coach, and worked with a gang prevention center.

In August of 2001, Senator Suazo was killed in a tragic ATV accident while hunting. His wife, Alicia Suazo, was asked by delegates at the Utah Democratic convention to finish Senator Suazo’s term in office. The Pete Suazo Social Justice Award was created in 1992 by the University of Utah College of Social Work. The award honors his work and the work of those who continue the battle for social justice.

“I am heartbroken over the loss of Pete Suazo. Pete will be deply missed for his courage and his willingness to never give up. No one should forget how he would keep fighting for what he believed in even after others had lost hope. Pete was a voice for the voiceless, a champion for the underdog, a man of honor. He did not weigh issues based on race, religion, or political affiliation. He would takeon any cause he thought was right. The state of Utah has lost a great leader.”

Mark Shurtleff
Utah Attorney General
August 20, 2001

“The death of Senator Pete Suazo cut short a life of exemplary service and passionate advocacy that bettered this state, and empowered the community he represented and dearly loved.
“Pete was succeeded in the Legislature by his wife, Senator Alicia Suazo, whose presence guarantees continuity for Utah’s Hispanic community and demonstrates that death can neither extinguish an ennobling idea nor silence a powerful voice.”

Governor Michael O. Leavitt
Sate of the Sate Address
February 2002

 

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