Sunday, March 27, 2016

JUSTICE FOR STEVEN NATHANIEL WOLKOFF



Steven Nathaniel Wolkoff
Justice is most often depicted with a set of scales typically suspended which measures the strengths of a case's support and opposition. 
The scales to me symbolizes the power of Reason and Justice, which may be wielded either for or against any party.

Justice should represent objectivity, in that it is or should be meted out objectively, without fear or favor, regardless of money, wealth, fame, power, or identity.


Justice For my son Steven Nathaniel Wolkoff begins in a Court of Law Trial starting on March 29th, 2016. 

Hopefully we will prevail in honor of his memory by holding those accountable for his wrongful death and in recognition of the most painful loss that Parents can suffer in losing their beloved child.



STEVEN'S SONG

                                                                       


 

                               Steven's Song (CLICK HERE) 

Stevens song was commissioned by and dedicated to, the Wantagh High School BandWantaghNew York, Mindy Dragovich, Conductor, and the Steven Nathaniel Wolkoff Foundation, in memory of Steven Wolkoff.  A former member of the Wantagh High School Band, Steven played trumpet and later found a passion for performing on bass guitar. Professionally, Steven won an Emmy for his work in streaming media and last worked in a senior position at Freewheel.Com. In June, 2008 Steven’s life was cut short by a devastating 5-car collision that occurred south of San FranciscoCaliforniawhere Steven lived.  He was only 30 years old. 

This composition is a quiet and moving work and is meant to serve as a tribute to the life of Steven Wolkoff.  It makes use of simple but haunting harmonies and a melody that will stay with the listener long after its final notes have finished sounding.  

Through the use of piano and the metallic percussion instruments such as bells, crotales, vibraphone, chimes, assorted triangles, finger cymbals and wind chimes, the composer captures the heart and warmth of this young man who was taken from our world far too early.
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The words below were sent to me by a friend who after listening to Steven's Song, wrote how she felt. 
 
"Dear Jerry,
That was one powerful song. Thank you for sharing it . It was well done and well played and a very generous gift to be given.

These are the unsung words for Steven's song:

Into His Own

He came into his own not even knowing he had
A young man, on his way, to meet his dreams
he fell in love with life the day he was born
he sang the songs of his time and played the music he loved.

He met life straight on,
every challenge a joy, a chance to meet destiny and more
he could decode and read things most cannot even begin to know
maybe it was the musician in him, maybe it was the genius.

He brought people in, closer to him just by being himself
those that knew him understood this charisma, this quality
he didn't even know he touched so many people
many that never even met him, yet those who knew him knew this about him.

A son, a brother, a boyfriend, a friend
endless words to describe him.
The one thing they all knew was, he would respond positively to them
and he could probably draw a sell out crowd.

My friend, his father, loved him more than words could ever speak
more than the deepest ocean or brightest sun
this young man, though he is no longer in his father's grasp or hand
has never let go of his son's heart and he never will.

He came into his own, much faster than many older than him ever do
he lived life to its fullest, though there was more to live.
Now, in silence and many times tears, he is remembered and revered
by those who loved him, this young, beautiful man,

My friend's son, Steven Nathaniel Wolkoff,
I have listened to you grieve, heard your voice crack
shared your deepest sorrow
and all I could ever hope for is one moment of peace for you.

May that moment come one day in a dream
in your mind, I know it won't in your heart.
Thinking of you, my friend, tonight and always
Know that your son, came into his own, not even knowing that he had.

Sunday, March 13, 2016

RAECHEL AND JACQUELINE HOUCK-DAUGHTERS,SISTERS, AND THE FAILURE OF AUTOMOBILE RECALLS.



REST IN PEACE 
Raechel and Jacqueline Houck 



I am often asked to write about victims experiences and that of their families. All are worthy of being written about, but that is not possible for me to do. 

In particular, because of the death of my son Steven Nathaniel Wolkoff at he age of 30, which was also caused by malfeasance,  I very much identify with the excruciating realities of our loss, of the endless intense suffering damages of a parent's worse nightmare that the Houck family and my family will live with for the rest of our lives.

Today's post is about two young women, Raechel and Jacqueline Houck were just 24 and 20  years old when they were killed in a horrific tragedy that could have been prevented. 

It's a simple solution to prevent what happened to their daughters from occurring again but sadly, politics, greed, corporations, and the zero value that society places on victims lives are preventing the actions necessary to make sure this never happens again to someone else's children.

It's also an easy, 10 second task that is being asked of you :

                   PLEASE SIGN THE PARENTS PETITION 



Petitioning Congressman Fred Upton


Support the Raechel and Jacqueline Houck Safe Rental Car Act


An unrepaired, recalled Chrysler rental car killed both of my beautiful, talented, treasured daughters, Raechel and Jacqueline. Chrysler issued a safety recall notice about 30 days before they rented it, but the rental company never bothered to get the free repairs done first.

Federal law prohibits car dealers from selling recalled new cars, but there is no similar law to stop rental car companies from renting dangerous recalled cars. And now that Congress is finally close to passing a bill that would change that, key members of Congress need to hear from everyone who cares about rental car safety.

Raechel and Jackie were just 24 and 20, full of life, and devoted to making the world a better place. They were on their way back home from visiting their father, younger brother, and me when the Chrysler PT Cruiser they rented caught fire. It had been recalled for a defective steering component prone to leaking, causing an underhood fire and loss of steering. The car veered across the median and crashed head-on into a tractor trailer. The big rig drivers and other witnesses said the car was on fire before the crash.

Some auto manufacturers and car dealers are aggressively lobbying to block this bill, named after Raechel and Jackie, that would make it a violation of federal law for a rental car company to rent or sell recalled cars with lethal safety defects, until the defects have been repaired.
They have the ear of Congressman Fred Upton, the powerful Chair of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, which may decide its fate.

Eventually, the rental car company admitted 100% liability for their deaths, and years later, they also apologized to me. They’re even working with me to pass The Raechel and Jacqueline Houck Safe Rental Car Act, which has passed in the Senate with bipartisan support. The House will vote soon as part of the transportation bill being debated this very moment.

And while the rental car companies and auto manufacturers like GM and Honda support this bill, other auto manufacturers and dealers are fighting against it.

Everyone who rents a car deserves one that is safe, and free from known lethal safety defects. Nothing can replace my daughters, but together we can keep other families from suffering such a needless, horrendous loss.

Please, join me in calling on Congressman Fred Upton to support Raechel and Jackie’s bill, before someone else is seriously injured or killed.
These parent's are fighting to make sure that this doesn't happen to your loved ones.

They are also up against powerful special interest groups who have not a shred of humanity when it involves the death of human beings that can be prevented if stronger laws were in place to protect us.
Surely, you can take the 10 seconds it will require to sign their petition and protect your own family's lives.