Wayne Holland
Wayne Holland is the current chairman of the Utah Democratic Party[1]. He was first elected in 2005, and reconfirmed in 2007.
Wayne Holland Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Chairman, Utah Democratic Party | |
| In office May, 2005 – January, 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Donald Dunn |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 28, 1958 Magna, Utah |
| Political party | Democratic Party |
| Residence | Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Website | http://www.utdemocrats.org |
Biographical note
Holland was born in 1958 in Magna, a copper mining town a few miles west of Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from Cyprus High School. Then he attended Utah State University, University of Utah, and Antioch University, with a major in Labor Economics and Labor Law. He is married and has two sons.
Political career
Holland grew up in a family deeply involved in politics. His grandfather was an activist in the Democratic Farmer Labor Party of Minnesota, and his father was an engineer and a Union representative. In High School he was class president and involved in social organizations. As a college student he became chief labor liaison in the political campaigns. He supported himself by working in the copper mines during summer-school breaks. In 1982, he was appointed president of Front Lash, a major labor organization of union members and college students dedicated to engaging young Americans in political processes, and had to face the problems of unemployment of a large part of copper miners. He organized fundraisers for the Polish Union organization Solidarnosc, and for the Anti-Apartheid movements in South Africa. He covered that position for nine years. During this period he negotiated for USW (United Steel Workers), 117 bargaining agreements and arbitrations. He handled over 140 district cases, especially at Kennecott mines. He was able to win the 83% of the cases.
He was then selected as a “Young American Leader" by the United Nations and participated as a delegate in foreign exchange projects focusing on political, social, and economic studies. In that capacity he had the opportunity to meet political leaders in several foreign countries, such as Germany, Sweden, England, and Chile.
Focus on health care
After many years of difficult bargaining, Holland has learned that over three-fourths of the time in negotiations is spent dealing with health insurance issues. He believes that these issues can be best solved at the political level.
Political hero
Holland’s political hero is Robert Kennedy, because he was dedicated to solving the enormous problems faced by the lower class, both at the national and at the international level, despite his upperclass background.