ABA HONORS FOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
FOR COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE ISSUES

WASINGTON, D.C., May 16, 2000 – The American Bar Association today honored two U.S. senators and two U.S. representatives for their leadership on important issues affecting the justice system, including funding for the Legal Services Corporation.

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., along with Rep. Jim Leach, R-Iowa, and Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., were honored during a reception preceding the association’s Annual "ABA Day" on Capitol Hill.

"Each of these honorees has led the way on many of the ABA’s public policy priorities, and central to that leadership is funding for the Legal Services Corporation," ABA President William G. Paul said. "Without their leadership, millions of poor Americans would have been denied access to justice."

Paul pointed out that although the ABA is a non-partisan organization and does not endorse candidates or contribute to political action committees, it does seek to convey the message of the organized bar through thoughtful, well-reasoned policy positions that affect the system of justice and the profession.

Leahy is the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee. In addition to his continued support of LSC, Leahy was honored by the ABA for his commitment to protecting the independence of the federal judiciary, and balancing the needs of law enforcement against the fundamental rights of citizens. Most recently, Leahy sponsored the "Innocence Protection Act," designed to lessen the risk of executing innocent people by helping states provide competent legal services and making DNA testing and other new technology available to federal and state inmates.

Also a member of the Judiciary Committee, Specter was honored for his long-time support of LSC. In 1995 Specter was instrumental in the fight to save LSC. He is also the key sponsor of the Legal Hotlines for Older Americans, a program that began in Pennsylvania.

Leach was honored for his leadership on the Norwood/Dingle Patient’s Bill of Rights legislation; designed to protect patients in their dealings with their HMOs, his support of campaign finance reform and legislation to reduce gun violence, and his steadfast support for LSC funding.

Murtha, also a consistent supporter of LSC, was honored for his leadership on the McDade-Murtha law – a law strongly supported by the ABA – which ensures that the Justice Department cannot exempt itself from state supreme court ethical rules and guidelines that govern all other attorneys.

The American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world. With more than 400,000 members, the ABA provides law school accreditation, continuing legal education, information about the law, programs to assist lawyers and judges in their work, and initiatives to improve the legal system for the public.