Pledging to bring the full powers of his office to bear against violence in Western Pennsylvania, new U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton took the formal oath of office Tuesday before two packed courtrooms.

Nominated to the position in May and confirmed by the U.S. Senate Aug. 5, Mr. Hickton focused much of his speech on what he feels is needed to not only bring justice, but freedom, to the 25 counties served by the U.S. attorney's office.

"We are not free if we live in a neighborhood with gunfire and murder all around us," he said. "The terror of irrational violence is an intolerable threat to our civil life."

Mr. Hickton went on to say that while he is committed to enforcing the law vigorously, he will not allow the trampling of basic freedoms.

"Quite the contrary, I believe that not enforcing the law is the surest way to see those freedoms disappear in practice."

He mentioned a number of priorities of the office, including environmental law, health care fraud, civil rights violations and mortgage fraud.

"[We] are not free unless justice is applied correctly to acts of public corruption, crimes which betray both the people and the government in which they have put their faith."

In his speech, Mr. Hickton cited former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy as an inspiration to him.

" 'Do the right thing; be just; do not concern yourself with the background or political persuasion of the people you investigate -- prosecute crime not people -- be strong and vigilant but always be fair,' " he quoted Mr. Kennedy.

Continuing, Mr. Hickton said, "[The] office has two levers -- the power to prosecute and the obligation to use restraint. We will be vigorous and fair -- we will strike hard blows but not foul ones -- we will ensure that the guilty are punished and the innocent do not suffer."

Senior U.S. District Judge Gustave Diamond, who administered the oath of office, praised his former law clerk of 28 years ago.

"You try to set a good standard," Judge Diamond said. "I'm very proud of how he's proceeded over the years."

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