[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 113 (Friday, July 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1931]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMEMORATING THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION

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                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 23, 2009

  Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, this year marks the 35th anniversary of the 
Legal Services Corporation (LSC), the single largest provider of civil 
legal aid for the poor in the nation. Established by Congress in 1974, 
LSC is a private, nonprofit organization that promotes equal access to 
justice and provides grants for high-quality civil legal assistance to 
low-income Americans. The people who come to LSC-funded programs for 
help are the most vulnerable among us: women seeking protection from 
abuse, mothers trying to obtain child support, families facing unlawful 
evictions or foreclosures that could leave them homeless, disaster 
victims trying to obtain federal emergency assistance or insurance 
payments to rebuild their lives. In fact, three out of four clients are 
women--many of whom are struggling to keep their children safe and 
their families together.
  LSC's work is more important than ever before, partly because of the 
impact of the current recession. Economic downturns affect the poor 
disproportionately and add to the pressures on the nation's public 
health and safety, child welfare, housing and jobs programs. Ensuring 
that the poor are adequately represented in the civil judicial system 
greatly improves their chances of keeping or securing basic 
necessities--the keys to stability and self-sufficiency. It also helps 
keep communities healthy. For low-income individuals and families, 
legal services often represent their only means of access to the 
justice system.
  Nearly 51 million people--including 17.6 million children--are 
eligible for LSC-funded services. LSC-funded programs close nearly one 
million cases per year nationwide and provide other assistance to more 
than five million people. The clients served are at or below 125 
percent of the federal poverty threshold, an income of about $27,000 a 
year for a family of four. An overwhelming demand for civil legal 
services exists. Based on a 2005 study, 50 percent of eligible 
potential clients requesting assistance from LSC-funded programs are 
turned away for lack of adequate program resources. At a time when poor 
Americans are struggling to keep their jobs, homes, and basic 
necessities for their families, it is crucial for the federal 
government to continue to address the civil legal needs of these 
vulnerable people as a national priority. Fortunately, LSC has broad 
bipartisan support for a strong federal role in access to equal justice 
efforts.
  On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the Legal Services 
Corporation, I welcome my fellow Members of Congress to join me in 
recognizing the critical role that the Legal Services Corporation plays 
in helping America live up to its commitment to ensure equal access to 
justice for all. LSC and its grantees are to be commended for the vital 
work they do every day on behalf of clients in desperate need of 
counsel.

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