Saturday evening I had the pleasure of attending the Celebration of Justice, the annual affair held by the Pacific Justice Institute at the Irvine Hyatt on Jamboree. The affair brings religious and government dignitaries together to honor the exceptional work of outstanding Attorneys, Media and Community Leaders as they seek justice by defending faith and family.

The Keynote Speakers were Fred Barnes of Fox News Beltway Boys and Hugh Hewitt, Nationally syndicated Radio Talk Show Host and Author. Master of Ceremonies was Paul McGuire (KBRT 740 AM).

To quote the booklet which attendee's received..."Pacific Justice Institute...Promoting justice...Preserving family...Protecting faith. Our vision is focused. Our plan is bold.I think probably everyone knows of Brad Dacus, founder of PJI; he has been a guest speaker on numerous radio and television programs, and participates weekly in several radio talk show interviews, and has appeared on CNN MSNBC, ABC's Good Moring America, The Today Show, Hannity and Colmes, News Talk TV, NBC Nightly News, Dateline as well as numerous times on FOX's O'Reilly Factor.

Keynote Speaker Fred Barnes is the co-founder and executive editor of the The Weekly Standard. He has served as senior editor and White House correspondent for The New Republic and he covered the Supreme Court and the White House for the Washington Star before moving on to the Baltimore Sun. He served as the national political correspondent for the Sun and wrote the "Presswatch" media column for the American Spectator. Now he is the host, along with Mort Kondracke, of the Beltway Boys on FOX News. Among his many varied accomplishments he also authored the book Rebel in Chief: Inside the Bold and Controversial Presidency of George W. Bush (2006) based on his exclusinve interviews with top administration officials - as well as President Bush.

Hugh Hewitt, always a pleasure to talk with, is the host of a daily nationally-syndicated talk radio show heard in more than 100 cities and he is a Professor of Law at Chapman University of Law School. Author of numerous books, he also is the Executive Editor of Townhall.com and one of the county's most widely read bloggers at HughHewitt.com.

Paul McGuire was the Master of Cermonies and was surprised with the Media Award. Paul is a commentator on the Fox News Network and CNN. He has also authored 15 books (so far).

Also invited and in attendance (announced) were the Dean's of Chapman Law School, John Eastman and the new UCI School of Law, Erwin Chemerinsky...it was said he was invited so we could have one on the left an one on the right ....8-).  There were other honored guests including Anthony Adams 59th Assembly District from Hisperia, Chuck DeVore from the 70th Assembly District, Mike Duvall - 72nd Assembly District, Kevin Jeffries from the 66th Assembly District, Jim Silva from the 67th Assembly District, Audra Strickland from the 37th Assembly District, Van Tran from the 68th Assembly District and Mimi Walters- 73rd Assembly District.  Although I did not see many of these faces, they were mentioned in the brochure as being part of the "VIP Reception Hosts".

Honored with awards were Dean Kenneth Star with the Ed Meese Integrity Award; David Lewis Llewellyn, Jr. with the John R. Parker Award; and Jacquie Sullivan with the Faith and Community Award. Jacquie is a councilmember of the Bakersfield City Council and launghed the movement to display the "In God We Trust" America's motto; in the City Council Chambers. Several cities and school districts have now begun to follow suit and also display "In God We Trust" in their council chambers; recently Huntington Beach voted in favor of this and if they don't already, will soon have their display up. But I believe Westminster was the first city in Orange County to vote in favor and put "In God We Trust" behind the dais where the council sits.

As one could expect, the speakers were excellent, the silent auction had some very very nice packages and the live auction was competitive and raise a good amount for PJI. Some very good Republicans and CRA members donated auction items that were pretty outstanding.

The ladies were dressed for the evening in formal wear and I saw Steve Sarkis lurking around with his camera in a TUX! The food was excellent from the velvet smooth wine to the dessert plate there was not a disappointing bite/byte to be found...either in the food or in the sound...

It is an event worth attending and those who have not had this pleasure might wish to consider attending next year. Plan early, it was sold out...