Galanter Sworn In Amid Cheers

A frail but triumphant Ruth Galanter took the official oath of office and attended her first Los Angeles City Council meeting today, one day after being released from the hospital after recovering from a near-fatal knife attack.

“As long as my voice holds out, I want to say thank you all for coming,” Galanter said in a husky, barely audible voice to hundreds of cheering supporters who gave her repeated standing ovations in the City Council Chambers in City Hall.

Also today, Councilman John Ferraro was unanimously elected president of the 15-member council, replacing Pat Russell, the longtime council member defeated by Galanter in a runoff election last month.