[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 49 (Monday, March 23, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E734]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 A TRIBUTE TO LEGAL ACTION OF WISCONSIN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 23, 2009

  Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Legal 
Action of Wisconsin. Legal Action of Wisconsin is the largest staff-
based provider of civil legal services for low income persons in 
Wisconsin. In April, 2009, Legal Action of Wisconsin will celebrate its 
40th anniversary.
  In 1968, Milwaukee Legal Services and Freedom Through Equality merged 
to become Legal Action of Wisconsin. Legal Action staff and volunteer 
attorneys providing pro bono services have represented and served over 
400,000 clients since its inception. The agency has gained public 
benefits on behalf of clients, helped clients gain custody of their 
children, and assisted clients in relief from evictions. Further, Legal 
Action has always sought to go beyond individual representation for low 
income people by seeking systemic change for problems in order to 
provide relief to as many clients possible. Legal Action's intervention 
on behalf of low-income clients has resulted in many achievements 
including rule changes and modifications, improved procedures from 
agencies and greater income for clients. They have also positively 
impacted school systems, health care systems, prison systems and the 
agribusiness industry to benefit and provide fundamental justice for 
clients.
  The sole mission of Legal Action of Wisconsin has been to achieve 
fundamental justice for its clients through creative and effective 
legal representation. To that end, Legal Action of Wisconsin's lawyers, 
paralegals and support staff have always upheld the basic democratic 
principle that all people are entitled to equal justice under law. 
Legal Action continues to act in cooperation with clients, the private 
bar, and community organizations to ensure that they remain a community 
oriented law firm.
  Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure and admiration that I pay 
tribute to Legal Action of Wisconsin for their 40 years of service. Its 
dedicated staff, board of directors, and volunteers continue to adhere 
to the principle that all people are entitled to equal justice under 
the law in the 4th Congressional District and the entire State of 
Wisconsin.

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