LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION paying tribute to Marla Hanson for her inspira-
tion, hard work, dedication and commitment as a spokesperson and
victims' rights advocate

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding individuals whose lives serve as an inspiration to their
family and friends, and to the community as a whole; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to pay trib-
ute to Marla Hanson for her inspiration, hard work, dedication and
commitment as a spokesperson and victims' rights advocate; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of her many accomplishments in this regard,
she has been selected to be the Keynote Speaker at the 2010 Orange Coun-
ty Tribute to Women of Achievement dinner on Wednesday, May 12, 2010;
and
WHEREAS, Born in Independence, Missouri, Marla Hanson attended college
in Dallas, Texas; after working selling real estate and insurance, a job
promotion brought her to New York City where a part-time modeling job
eventually became a full-time career in the 1980s; and
WHEREAS, In June 1986, after a tragic criminal attack which resulted
in permanent scarring of her face, subsequently ending her modeling
career, Marla Hanson triumphed over adversity and became the national
victims' center spokesperson and an extraordinarily effective advocate
for victims' rights; and
WHEREAS, Marla Hanson has become one of the most vocal advocates for
legislative change in the victims' rights arena and has regularly
lobbied for new laws and services at both the grassroots and national
levels to assist the victims of crime; and
WHEREAS, By telling her own moving and inspirational story, Marla
Hanson has given audiences a place from which to begin their own recov-
ery process; she is more determined than ever to help people take charge
of their own lives and challenge society's inequalities; and
WHEREAS, Marla Hanson's motivating message is that victimization is a
state of mind and that tragic events can be lived with and overcome; and
WHEREAS, After many years of treatment for the post-traumatic stress
resulting from her tragedy, Marla Hanson was able to return to a normal
life; she earned a Bachelor's degree in film production from New York
University's Tisch School of the Arts, and lives in New York City with
her husband and child; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her professional and communi-
ty service, a period of constructive involvement, Marla Hanson has stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor, and has earned the respect
and admiration of her colleagues, family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Marla Hanson has displayed through-
out her life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to pay
tribute to Marla Hanson for her inspiration, hard work, dedication and
commitment as a spokesperson and victims' rights advocate; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Marla Hanson.