[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 4, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN RECOGNITION OF THE CLEVELAND METROPOLITAN BAR ASSOCIATION

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                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 4, 2008

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the Cleveland 
Metropolitan Bar Association, and in recognition of the individual and 
collective dedication and service of the Cuyahoga County Bar 
Association (CCBA) and the Cleveland Bar Association (CBA).
  The CBA and the CCBA joined this year to create the Cleveland 
Metropolitan Bar Association, which has a collective membership of over 
six thousand attorneys. The Cleveland Bar Association, founded in 1873, 
was one of the oldest bar associations in the country and was the 
largest provider of legal seminars in Ohio. The CCBA was founded in 
1928 in protest of the exclusionary practices in Cleveland's legal 
profession at that time. The breakaway CCBA drew its members from 
smaller firms and solo practices and reflected a diverse ethnic mix 
which included Jewish attorneys and others from the influx of attorneys 
from the Irish, Italian, Eastern European, and African-American 
southern migrations to Cleveland.
  The unification of the CBA and CCBA in 2008 was a historic event 
which reflects the breaking down of ethnic, religious, racial, and 
socio-economic barriers which were so prevalent in Cleveland 80 years 
ago. The merger was made possible under the leadership of each bar 
association after 80 years of operating separately. Together the 
leadership of the former CBA and CCBA will ensure that the new 
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association will be one of the largest and 
most successful bar associations in the country, providing the Greater 
Cleveland area with an even greater variety of services and community 
work.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and 
appreciation of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, and in 
recognition of the collective and individual efforts of the former CBA 
and CCBA, for their dedication and service to the Greater Cleveland 
community.

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