Remarks by District Attorney Tony Rackauckas
2012 Victims’ Rights March & Rally
April 27, 2012
Good Morning!
Remembering those we have lost, honoring those who have survived, and celebrating the tenacity and strength of the people who carry on the fight for justice – Welcome to the 4th Annual Orange County Victims’ Rights March & Rally.
Thank you for coming. I would first like to introduce our distinguished guests who have joined me on stage.
To my right are United States Attorney Andre Birotte Jr., California State Board of Equalization Vice-Chair Michelle Park Steel, Santa Ana Police Chief and City Manager Paul Walters, and former Orange County Board of Supervisors Chris Norby.
To my left are Donna Bjoin, sister of murder victim Katherine O’Connell, and a crime survivor who will be introducing herself to you very shortly.
Before we begin, I want to thank our co-sponsors, benefactors, and volunteers who helped to underwrite and support this event: Orange County Board of Supervisors; Orange County Sheriff’s Department for providing the sound system and its engineers; Santa Ana Police for providing the motor escort and the Honor Guard; Orange County Fire Authority for providing the video-graphing and editing; Association of Orange County Deputy District Attorneys – Civic Action Committee; Orange County District Attorney Investigators Association; Community Service Programs, Corrective Solutions; Michael Schroeder; MADD; and Starbucks for their generous donations.
I want to acknowledge the elected officials and dignitaries who have joined us for this rally. Among us are our political leaders who are setting the agenda and providing the resources to protect public safety. Their presence here signifies the importance of this event. Thank you for holding your applause until the end: Assemblyman Jim Silva, Assemblyman Don Wagner, Assemblyman Chris Norby, La Habra Mayor Tim Shaw, La Palma Mayor Pro Tem Steve Hwangbo, Lake Forest Mayor Pro Tem Scott Voigts, Huntington Beach Councilmember Matt harper, Newport Beach Councilwoman Leslie Daigle, Westminster Councilman Tyler Diep, Santa Ana Councilwoman Michele Martinez, Fountain Valley Councilman Steve Nagel, Villa Park Councilwoman Deborah Pauly, Laguna Woods Councilman Marty Rhodes, Santa Ana Councilwoman Claudia Alvarez, Michael Schroeder, former Assistant District Attorney Chuck Middleton, and Executive Director of CSP Margo Carlson. We have representatives from the offices of: Assemblyman Allan Mansoor, State Senator Lou Correa, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Law enforcement representatives here today are: Dennise Willet – Chief of the Santa Ana Branch of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force, Irvine Police Department, Newport Beach Police Department, Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Ana Police Department, Seal Beach Police Department, and Tustin Police Department.
We have many victims’ groups represented here today. They work tirelessly every day and give so much to victims and their families. They are the ones who provide the words of comfort or silent strength for victims during their darkest days.