[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 129 (Thursday, September 24, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1799]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           BALTIMORE REGIONAL CITIZENS AGAINST LAWSUIT ABUSE

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR.

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 24, 1998

  Mr. EHRLICH. Mr. Speaker, the week of September 20-26, 1998, has been 
recognized in my home state of Maryland as ``Lawsuit Abuse Awareness 
Week.'' Baltimore Regional Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (BRCALA) has 
worked tirelessly over the last three years to educate Marylanders 
about the higher costs for consumer products, medical expenses, taxes, 
and lost business expansion and product development associated with 
lawsuit abuse. Almost everyone agrees that America has become an overly 
litigious society.
  BRCALA is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots, legal watchdog 
organization. Its efforts include running educational media 
announcements, posting billboards and signs, and speaking to local 
groups throughout the Baltimore area in order to raise public awareness 
of lawsuit abuse.
  When frivolous lawsuits are filed, we all pay, and we all lose, 
BRCALA's mission to curb lawsuit abuse is an example of Marylanders 
devoting energy and efforts toward solving problems which cost our 
state jobs, profits, and opportunities. Its public awareness campaign 
reaches out to thousands of my constituents as well as thousands of 
other citizens throughout the Baltimore metropolitan region.
  Legal reform of any kind is not a simple issue. The legal system must 
function properly to provide justice to every American. Accordingly, 
when lawsuits and the courts can be used recklessly at the consequence 
of imposing excessive costs to other parties--from individuals to 
nonprofit agencies to businesses--the system should be reviewed and 
reformed if possible.
  While BRCALA has thousands of supporters throughout the state of 
Maryland, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize particular 
individuals who have given countless hours to advance its mission. They 
are Mary Felica Kniep, Executive Director for BRCALA; Vicki L. Almond, 
chairwoman; Joseph Brown, Jr.; Stanley Dill; Dr. William Howard; Gary 
O. Prince; and the Honorable Joseph Sachs--each directors and 
supporters dedicated to BRCALA.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend all of the individuals who are 
involved with Baltimore Regional Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse for 
their wholehearted dedication to this important endeavor.

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