[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 189 (Tuesday, December 11, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO THE MARYLAND LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN P. SARBANES

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 11, 2007

  Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate those 
honored by the Maryland Legal Services Corporation for their 
outstanding contributions to the provision of legal services and access 
to justice to the poor.
  While every American has a constitutional right to counsel when 
facing criminal prosecution, when faced with a civil action--including 
eviction, debt collection and bankruptcy--financial means too often 
determine access to our courts. The Maryland Legal Services Corporation 
has fought against this barrier to equal justice, raising funds and 
distributing grants to nonprofit organizations that provide civil legal 
assistance to low-income Marylanders.
  Established by the Maryland General Assembly in 1982, MLSC has been 
at the forefront of the civil legal services movement for 25 years, 
awarding grants totaling over $81 million to help provide services in 
more than 1.2 million legal matters for Maryland's families.
  In 2007, MLSC honored the following five individuals and one 
organization for their extraordinary efforts to expand access to 
justice for the poor--
  The Robert M. Bell Medal for Access to Justice was presented to Hon. 
J. Joseph Curran, Jr., former Attorney General for Maryland and now 
counsel to the Maryland Injured Workers Fund, for his extraordinary 
commitment to furthering access to justice for the poor throughout his 
distinguished career. MLSC created this award in 2004 and presented it 
to Chief Judge Bell, after which the award was named in his honor to be 
given only when warranted.
  The Arthur W. Machen, Jr., Award was presented to Connie Kratovil 
Lavelle, who has been a legal services attorney, private practitioner 
and now deputy director of the Department of Family Administration of 
the Administrative Office of the Courts, for her extraordinary public 
service by providing legal representation to the poor and improving the 
delivery of legal services in Maryland.
  The Benjamin L. Cardin Distinguished Service Award was presented to 
Lauren Young, director of litigation of the Maryland Disability Law 
Center, for her outstanding work as a public interest lawyer providing 
civil legal services to the poor and the developmentally disabled.
  The William L. Marbury Outstanding Advocate Award was presented to 
Maureen Larenas, manager of the Tacoma Park Silver Spring, TESS, 
Community Service Center, for her outstanding advocacy in Maryland on 
behalf of low-income persons.
  The Herbert S. Garten Public Citizen Award was given to The Daily 
Record, which has provided Maryland's business and legal news since 
1888, for demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to increase access 
to justice for the poor in Maryland.
  MLSC also presented an Award of Special Recognition to John H. 
Michener, former director of Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service and 
director of the Department of Human Resources Legal Services and 
Judicare Programs.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you join me today in honoring the 
recipients of the 2007 Maryland Legal Services Corporation Awards for 
their exceptional dedication and exemplary commitment to public 
service, equal justice and the welfare of the most vulnerable 
Marylanders.

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