[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 130 (Friday, September 25, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1805]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF 1998 LAWSUIT ABUSE AWARENESS WEEK IN THE STATE OF 
                                  OHIO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PAUL E. GILLMOR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 25, 1998

  Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to an 
important series of events taking place this week in the State of Ohio. 
The week of Monday, September 21 through Friday, September 26, 1998, 
has been officially designated by Governor George V. Voinovich as 
Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week.
  This recognition works to ensure that citizens throughout the State 
of Ohio are better informed about the ongoing concerns for lawsuit 
abuse. To this end, the Ohio Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (OCALA) has 
undertaken a public awareness campaign to voice their concerns and 
continue to draw attention to the impact of lawsuit abuse on Ohio's 
consumers and economy. Citizens from all across Ohio have helped the 
campaign and have organized behind OCALA to spread the message.
  Mr. Speaker, lawsuit abuse is not merely a concern for the State of 
Ohio. Lawsuit abuse is an issue with both State and national 
implications, and undoubtedly affects each American. Unfortunately, our 
society has become very prone to litigate in recent years. In fact, 
some estimates show that the number of lawsuits filed each year is 
almost 300,000. The sheer number of these lawsuits requires millions of 
dollars in expenses and thousands of hours from employees. There is no 
question that litigation abuse is a deterrent to economic growth.
  As the number of lawsuits continues to climb, the impact on the 
American public is evident. The increasing number of lawsuits results 
in higher operating costs for businesses, the withdrawal of certain 
products from the market, and a weakening of growth and expansion. 
These costs are inevitably passed along to consumers in the form of 
higher prices for goods and services, lost opportunity, and fewer jobs.
  Mr. Speaker, with these serious issues facing the United States, it 
is increasingly important for groups like Ohio Citizens Against Lawsuit 
Abuse to be recognized for their hard work and efforts on behalf of 
Ohioans and all Americans. We need the kind of dedication shown by 
OCALA and other groups to keep up the battle with lawsuit abuse and 
overall legal reform. I would urge my colleagues to stand and join me 
in recognizing the week of Monday, September 21 through Saturday, 
September 26, 1998 as ``Ohio Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week.''

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