[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 135 (Saturday, November 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMEMORATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION

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                          HON. MELVIN L. WATT

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 19, 2004

  Mr. WATT. Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 30th anniversary of the 
Legal Services Corporation (LSC), a nonprofit organization created by 
Congress in 1974 to ensure that Americans have access to our justice 
system regardless of their economic means. For three decades, LSC has 
lived up to the noble purpose for which it was created--providing legal 
assistance in civil matters to tens of millions of low-income Americans 
who would otherwise have gone without counsel. The Legal Services 
Corporation Act of 1974 was passed with broad bipartisan support in 
Congress and, thirty years later, broad bipartisan support for a strong 
federal role in equal justice efforts remains. LSC's past and current 
leaders, as well as the thousands of advocates who work for LSC-funded 
legal services programs throughout America, deserve credit for the 
vital work they do every day on behalf of clients in desperate need of 
qualified counsel.
  Today, there are currently more than 45.2 million Americans who 
qualify for assistance from one of LSC's 143 grantees nationwide. Legal 
services' clients are as diverse as our nation, encompassing all races; 
ethnic groups and ages. They include the working poor, veterans, family 
farmers, people with disabilities and victims of natural disasters. 
More than two-thirds of LSC clients are women--most of them mothers.
  The legal problems faced by those living in poverty can have serious, 
long-term consequences for children and, as a result, for society as a 
whole. The most common types of cases handled by LSC-funded advocates 
address family law, housing, employment, government benefits and 
consumer-related issues. For low-income individuals and families, legal 
services advocacy in these and other areas represents their only means 
of access to the justice system.
  In addition to helping people resolve some of their immediate 
economic and legal needs, LSC programs also educate people on their 
rights and responsibilities under the law. With this information, 
clients can use their knowledge to work within the justice system to 
re-establish economic independence. With LSC's help, families can 
maintain their incomes, homes, health benefits and their dignity.
  More than two centuries ago, our founding fathers enshrined the 
importance of equal justice in the preamble to the Constitution, 
identifying the obligation ``to establish justice'' as the first 
specific function of the new government. Justice, then, is not simply 
another government asperation; it is the historic mandate of a free 
society. On the occasion of the LSC's 30th anniversary, members of 
Congress should take note and pay homage to the Legal Services 
Corporation and the critical role it has played in helping America live 
up to this mandate and our highest ideals.

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