[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 105 (Wednesday, July 23, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H5579-H5580]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   PRESENTATION OF FREEDOM WORKS AWARD TO THE INDIANAPOLIS LEGAL AID 
                                SOCIETY

  (Mr. ARMEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I am excited today to present the Freedom 
Works Award to the Indianapolis Legal Aid Society for their fine work 
in providing legal representation to the poor of central Indiana. I 
established the Freedom Works Award to celebrate freedom by recognizing 
individuals and groups who take personal and private initiative instead 
of promoting reliance on the Government. Today I am honoring the 
Indianapolis Legal Aid Society which is the largest organization in 
Indiana devoted solely to the nonideological, nonpartisan provision of 
legal assistance to people who cannot afford to hire a lawyer.
  Mr. Speaker, the Society employs four full-time and three part-time 
lawyers who, with a small group of volunteer lawyers, personally 
assisted more than 7,000 clients in 1996. In fact, last year the 
Society received inquiries from more than 15,000 people seeking legal 
assistance in such matters as family law, custody disputes, and 
landlord-tenant rights.
  Despite operating on a limited budget and not receiving raises for 4 
years, the Society's committed staff continues to assist the poor in 
central Indiana in a compassionate and efficient manner, providing hope 
for citizens who have nowhere else to turn. This group reminds us of 
the thousands of lawyers across the Nation who provide free legal 
assistance to low-income Americans through their own generosity. In 
fact, pro bono attorneys contribute over five times the number of hours 
worked annually by the staff attorneys in the Legal Service Corp's 
network, and Mr. Speaker, this fine

[[Page H5580]]

group has achieved this success without receiving a single penny of 
government funding. Instead they have relied on the generosity of 
private groups and individuals who are committed to the principle of 
equal justice under the law for all citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, access to the legal system by all our citizens is a 
cornerstone of American democracy. The Indianapolis Legal Aid Society 
is setting an example for us by recognizing the need and taking private 
initiative to address it effectively and efficiently. I am very proud 
today to honor them for their fine achievements.

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