Today in Harrisburg, Dave Sunday delivered his inaugural address as the new Attorney General of Pennsylvania. The ceremony marked the beginning of his term following his swearing-in.
In his speech, Sunday expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him and acknowledged the significance of the office he now holds. "Words can’t express the gratitude I have to stand here today as the Attorney General of Pennsylvania," he stated, emphasizing his commitment to justice and fairness for all Pennsylvanians.
Reflecting on his personal journey, Sunday shared how his experiences in the United States Navy and working at UPS shaped his values. He highlighted lessons learned about teamwork and collaboration: "You see, on a Navy ship, you come together with people from all walks of life to achieve a common goal."
Sunday paid tribute to several individuals who supported him throughout his career, including family members and colleagues. He also thanked those involved in organizing the event and leading various parts of the ceremony.
Addressing challenges ahead, Sunday outlined priorities such as tackling mental health issues affecting public safety and addressing root causes of crime. He announced a subcommittee focused on cross-system collaboration for mental health within his transition team.
On criminal justice reform, Sunday advocated for accountability coupled with redemption. "We absolutely must hold criminals accountable," he said while stressing support for initiatives like Clean Slate that aid rehabilitation.
The opioid crisis was another focal point; Sunday pledged cooperation with district attorneys and law enforcement to combat drug trafficking while providing help to those suffering from addiction.
Throughout his address, Sunday emphasized unity and partnership across different sectors to achieve common goals: "I view the Office of Attorney General as having the potential to be a conduit for collaboration."
Concluding with optimism about future efforts, he called upon everyone present—law enforcement officials, legislators, business leaders—to join him in creating safer communities through shared commitment toward accountability and redemption.