Remarks by District Attorney Tony Rackauckas
3rd Annual Orange County Victims’ Rights March & Rally
April 14, 2011
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 3rd Annual Orange County Victims’ Rights March & Rally.
Before we get started today, I wanted to send our very best wishes to Collene Campbell, Orange County’s treasure, the dean of victims’ rights. She desperately wanted to be here … and you know if she isn’t, she is not capable of getting up today.
After spending nine hours on the operating table and taking, as she describes it, “nine chunks” out of her body, she can’t be with us so that she can save her energy to make another speech later today.
She has survived to make sure her son’s murderer was brought to justice. She has survived to make sure one of her brother and sister-in-law’s murderers was brought to justice. Her son’s murderer is coming up for parole in several days and she is still seeking additional defendants in the murder of her brother and sister-in-law. I know she will be better soon to make sure these dangerous men stay behind bars forever.
Let’s send Collene a huge round of applause.
Thank you for coming. I would first like to introduce our distinguished guests who have joined me on stage.
To my left are Elaina Kroll, Lance Frazee, and Erin Runnion. To my right are President of the Orange County Police Chiefs’ and Sheriff’s Association and Chief of Orange Police Department Robert Gustafson, Santa Ana Police Chief Paul Walters, and Supervisor Shawn Nelson.
I want to thank our co-sponsors, benefactors, and volunteers who helped to underwrite this event.
Orange County Board of Supervisors; Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for providing the sound system and its engineers; Santa Ana Police Chief Paul Walters for providing the motor escort and the Honor Guard for this event; Orange County Fire Authority for providing the videography and editing; Association of Orange County Deputy District Attorneys – Civic Action Committee; Orange County District Attorney Investigators Association; Community Service Programs, Inc.; Corrective Solutions; Michael Schroeder; Trader Joe’s; and Starbucks for their generous donations.
I would also like to recognize Jerry and Rebecca Zomorodian who have generously supported this event for the last three years.
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:
Orange County Clerk-Recorder Tom Daly, Orange County Treasurer – Tax Collection Shari Freidenrich, Newport Beach City Councilwoman Leslie Daigle, Huntington Beach City Councilman Matthew Harper, Fullerton City Councilman, Patrick McKinley, Villa Park City Councilwoman Deborah Pauly, and Westminster Mayor Pro Tem Tyler Diep.
We have representatives from the offices of:
Assemblyman Jeff Miller