Daily Universe reports
Vice President Dick Cheney will give the commencement speech at Brigham Young University on April 26.
Cheney’s appearance was first reported by The Salt Lake Tribune and confirmed Thursday by his spokeswoman, Megan McGinn.
“We can confirm that the decision has been made for Vice President Cheney to speak at BYU’s April commencement,” BYU spokeswoman Carri Jenkins told The Daily Universe Thursday afternoon.
The vice president’s speech will essentially be fulfilling a rain check for President George W. Bush, who was asked to speak last year and couldn’t.
The White House contacted BYU in January of this year to see if having Cheney speak would be acceptable, McGinn said. Church officials then invited Cheney to some.
“An invitation for Vice President Cheney to speak at BYU’s April commencement was extended by members of the First Presidency of the LDS Church in their capacities as chair and vice chairs of the BYU Board of Trustees,” Jenkins said.
Cheney last visited Utah in July 2004 for a fundraiser for John Swallow, who ran and lost against Congressman Jim Matheson for the 2nd District post.
Last year the vice president spoke at two commencements: one at the Naval Academy and the other at Natrona High School in his hometown of Casper, Wyo.
“The vice president is very excited to be invited to BYU and participate in the commencement ceremony,” McGinn said.
