[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 124 (Thursday, September 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1884]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    A TRIBUTE TO BALTIMORE COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY, SANDRA O'CONNOR

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                     HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 28, 2006

  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to rise before 
you today to salute a woman who has spent many years working towards 
bettering the quality of life in the State of Maryland. Sadly, after 32 
years of service the eight time elected Maryland State Attorney, Sandra 
O'Connor, will give up her post. She is the longest serving prosecutor 
in the State of Maryland.
  As a former prosecutor, I had the privilege of working under Sandy 
during her tenure. I have great respect and admiration for the work she 
has done over the last 32 years. She continuously worked to support 
victims and witnesses. In fact, she is responsible for creating the 
first unit in Maryland to assist victims and witnesses. Mrs. O'Connor 
cracked down on criminals by establishing tough standards for people 
who use handguns as well as commit violent crimes in Baltimore County. 
As a direct result of her leadership, Baltimore County has the most 
offenders serving no-parole sentences in Maryland. She has also 
established a Child Abuse and Sexual Offense Unit, and a Repeat 
Offender Unit. In addition, she has established programs for Rape 
Awareness and ``Better Safe Than Sorry''.
  Without a doubt, this is a woman of great caliber. Her grace, 
dignity, and unparalleled determination set her apart from so many in 
her field. She worked tirelessly through the years to remain free from 
partisan views and instead focused on how to better assist Maryland 
citizens.
  Mrs. O'Connor not only devoted her time to the State's Attorney for 
Baltimore County office, but also to a number of other organizations. 
She is the Vice-President and Director of the National District 
Attorney's Association; a past president of the Maryland State 
Attorney's Association; and she was appointed to serve on the Board of 
Directors for the State Justice Institute and the Advisory Board for 
the National Information Center. Mrs. O'Connor has also been honored by 
a number of organizations for her outstanding service. In addition to 
serving on these boards, Sandy also lectures at the National College of 
District Attorneys and in 1991 she was a recipient of the Distinguished 
Faculty Award.
  As a graduate of Catonsville Senior High, Indiana University, and 
Indiana University School of Law she has made her alma maters proud. 
Mrs. O'Connor has set the standard extremely high and leaves big shoes 
to fill. Confidently, I can say that she is the best in this field and 
Baltimore County was lucky to have her for so long.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to salute State's 
Attorney for Baltimore County, Sandra O'Connor, for a remarkable job. 
She will always be remembered for raising the bar and setting the 
precedent for future Baltimore County State's Attorneys.

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