Sonny's Corner

Sonny Foster "Sonny's Corner" is a regular column in Prairie Fire, featuring commentary on civil rights and justice issues. Our friend and Omaha colleague, Joseph P. "Sonny" Foster, died suddenly at age 54 in August 2005. He left an uncompleted agenda, as did many of our civil rights and justice mentors and heroes. We shall attempt to move forward on that unfinished agenda through this column.

Most federal officials, whether they are elected or appointed, have an immediate swearing in so they can assume their office as quickly as possible after they have been elected, appointed or confirmed by the United States Senate. Shortly thereafter, a second more formal and ceremonial swearing in takes place. This was the case on Nov. 6, 2009, in Omaha, Neb., when United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg was sworn in before friends, officials and family at the United States Courthouse. Ms. Gilg is a unique and welcome blend of both sides of the 100th meridian. Her early and current roots are in Omaha, but she and her family have decades of Keith County, Neb. civic and community service. Numerous governmental officials from the three branches of government, at all levels, welcomed her into her new office and gave high praise to her many successes. Prairie Fire wishes her well throughout her tenure and is particularly impressed by her powerful and visionary pledge to all those whom she has sworn to serve. The following is taken from her remarks at the close of the installation ceremony.

I believe that being the United States Attorney is a fiduciary responsibility. I have been given the trust of United States Senator Nelson, members of the United States Senate and the president to preserve our citizens’ trust in the office’s ability to protect Nebraskans from those who would seek to harm them either through crime or disregard of our civil rights.

You have my pledge that we will strike hard at those who inflict irreparable harm on our children, through child pornography.

We will strike hard at those who rob our communities of the ability to raise our children free from fear of guns, gangs and violence.

We will strike hard at those who make our free market an unfair market by violating the trust of our citizens, and especially the elderly, through financial crime and identity-theft crime.

We will strike hard at those who deprive our citizens of their civil rights.

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