RECOGNITION OF LAWSUIT ABUSE AWARENESS WEEK: SEPTEMBER 18-22, 2000 -- HON. ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR. (Extensions of Remarks - October 04, 2000)

[Page: E1674]
---

HON. ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR. OF MARYLAND IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, October 4, 2000

Mr. EHRLICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge a group of citizens in my district working hard to address an issue affecting every citizen of our state: Lawsuit Abuse.

Throughout my district, and all over the greater Baltimore area, local citizens are volunteering their time and energy to inform the public about the costs and problems stemming from the excessive numbers and types of lawsuits filed in today's litigious society. The men and women of the Baltimore Regional Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse, otherwise known as BRCALA, have a simple goal--to create a greater public awareness of abuses of our civil justice system. This type of citizen activism has had a positive impact on perceptions and attitudes toward abuses of our legal system, a problem most folks do not stop to consider during their daily routine.

While the overall mission of Baltimore Regional Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse is to curb lawsuit abuse, the organization's efforts focus on education. Every time these dedicated Marylanders speak out against lawsuit abuse, ordinary citizens are educated on the statewide and nationwide consequences our legal system has on our daily lives. The costs of lawsuit abuse include higher prices for consumer products, higher medical expenses, higher taxes, higher insurance rates, and lost business expansion and product development.

As a former member of the Maryland General Assembly, I worked hard to reform our legal system at the state level. During my tenure in Congress, I have supported efforts with
```
[Page: E1675]
```
respect to product liability reform, securities litigation reform, and reform of the federal Superfund program. More importantly, I sponsored legislation that has helped reduce frivolous class action lawsuits brought against mortgage brokers.

This year, I voted to support H.R. 1875, the Interstate Class Action Jurisdiction Act. This legislation recognizes that many class action lawsuits do little to help consumers, but allow personal injury lawyers to collect millions of dollars in legal fees. H.R. 1875 is an important step in helping reform a legal system that has been abused time and time again.

Legal reform is a complex issue. The legal system must function to provide justice to every American. This does not mean, however, that the status quo is perfect. When lawsuits and the courts are used in excess or to the detriment of innocent parties, the system must be reviewed and reformed.

Let me acknowledge the BRCALA board of directors for giving of their valuable time and energy: the Honorable Phillip Bissett, BRCALA chairman; Joseph Brown, Jr.; Dr. William Howard; Gary O. Prince; the Honorable Joseph Sachs; and the Honorable Michael Wagner--directors and supporters dedicated to BRCALA; and Nancy Hill, BRCALA executive director.

Mr. Speaker, the Baltimore Regional Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse has declared September 18 through September 22, 2000, as ``Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week'' in Maryland.

I want to commend every person involved in this worthwhile effort for their dedication and commitment.
END