Rufus Hannah - A Bum Deal: An Unlikely Journey from Hopeless to Humanitarian

Rufus Hannah wishes to acknowledge his best friend, Donnie Brennan. May he be safe. Many thanks to Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program (ADTP) at the VA Hospital in La Jolla, CA. Thanks to Al Pavich, CEO at Veterans Village San Diego (VVSD); Darcy Pavich, Stand Down Coordinator; Marilyn Cornell at VVSD; Jim Mooney (also at VVSD), who always had my back; Aunt Dorothy Woods, who shared her family photo album; Michael Stoops, National Coalition for the Homeless, for allowing me to participate and make a difference with his organizations Faces of Homelessness Speakers Bureau; Professor Brian Levin, Cal State San Bernardino, who recommended me for the Civil Rights award from the California Association of Human Relations Organizations (CAHRO); Greg Kyritsis of the California Police Officers Standards Training (POST) in allowing Barry and me to being involved in the making of the training film regarding the way officers treat the homeless.

And, of course, great thanks to Barry Soper, for so many reasons.

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Barry Soper wishes to acknowledge Jill Marsal of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, who gave this unknown writers manuscript a chance to find a home; the truly amazing editor, Peter Lynch and the staff at Sourcebooks, whose exceptional comments and vision made this book come alive; Mike Sirota, my writing coach and friend, who kept me in the ball game; Dick Carlson in Washington, D.C., my closest friend, whose advice and support were critical at the various stages of the writing; Michael Karzis of CBS Newss 60 Minutes , a special thank you for allowing me ten precious minutes alone with the legend, Ed Bradley, and the professionalism and caring you showed Rufus and Donnie; the late actress Carrie Snodgress for her compassion and caring toward Rufus and Donnie; Sandy Burgin of MLB.com; screenwriter Scott Silver; Paul Krueger, NBC News; Bill Ritter, ABC News New York; Dave Balsinger of Grizzly Adams Productions; Christine Whitmarsh; Phyllis Ullman; photojournalist Susan Madden Lankford; photographer Alice Gerschler; public relations specialist Kathy Pinckert: George Mitrovich of the City Club of San Diego for allowing me to listen and meet the great writers whom he brings to San Diego; Donnies mother, Virginia Brennan, a saint, for the use of the photo album and the background on Donnie and Rufus; Deputy District Attorney Curtis Ross and detective Dan Willis for their roles in the prosecution of the Bumfights case. A special thank you to civil litigators Browne Greene and Mark Quigley for representing Rufus and Donnie in the civil case and helping them get their dignity back; Bonnie Dumanis, District Attorney, San Diego; State Senator Darrell Steinberg for his help with SB122 Hate Crime legislation to protect the homeless. Additional thanks to cousin Adam and Cara Goucher, who taught me that its not how you start the race but how you finish it; my parents in heaven, who taught my brother Robert and I by example to always help the less fortunate; my cousin Barry Plotkin, for being part of the adventure; my sons Blair and Josh and daughter, Jill, for their love and support in making a difference in a persons life.

And, of course, many thanks to Rufus Hannah, the most courageous person I have ever had the privilege to know.