[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 126 (Tuesday, September 25, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1736]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            PRO BONO PROJECT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 25, 2001

  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the dedicated 
volunteers of the Pro Bono Project of Santa Clara County. The Pro Bono 
Project uses volunteer attorneys, judges and other legal professionals 
to represent low income and indigent clients in Santa Clara County in 
family law cases, including divorce, custody, child/spousal support, 
and domestic violence issues. Often, the Pro Bono Project is the last 
chance its clients have at securing representation.
  The success of the Pro Bono Project is a direct result of 150 
volunteers, through whose efforts the Project offered over 200 clients 
per year over $958,000 in volunteer services. Thanks to these 
volunteers, the Pro Bono Project was able to staff several clinics, 
including a Bankruptcy clinic and a Paternity clinic. Pro Bono Project 
attorneys staff the Domestic Violence Collaboration in conjunction with 
Bay Area Legal Aid, Battered Women's Support Network, Next Door and 
South County Alternatives. The Domestic Violence Collaboration provides 
divorce, support and custody services to victims of domestic violence. 
The Project's Family Law Mentor Program provides a volunteer mentor 
attorney in the office every Wednesday to provide family law advice and 
help to attorneys.
  With very little funding, the Pro Bono Project does an amazing amount 
of work. I commend the Project's founders and volunteers. On behalf of 
Santa Clara County, I thank these remarkable volunteers for all of 
their hard work.

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