[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17469]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 IN RECOGNITION OF LAWSUIT ABUSE AWARENESS WEEK: SEPTEMBER 17-21, 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR.

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 20, 2001

  Mr. EHRLICH. Mr. Speaker, while the tragic events of last week remain 
paramount in our hearts and minds, I, nonetheless, rise today to 
recognize Maryland Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (MDCALA), who joins 
thousands of Marylanders in declaring the week of September 17, 2001, 
to be Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week.
  MDCALA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, legal watchdog organization 
dedicate to improving the civil justice system. Over the last six 
years, MDCALA has worked to educate Marylanders about the cost of 
frivolous litigation. With more than 10,000 supporters statewide, 
MDCALA emphasizes the negative consequences that lawsuit abuse has on 
the public.
  Maryland is home to many large corporations and family businesses. 
Yet, the constant fear of lawsuits threatens the economic vitality of 
our State. Small businesses simply cannot afford one frivolous lawsuit. 
In order to compensate for potential legal bills, businesses are forced 
to raise prices to protect their bottom-line. Lawsuit abuse, therefore, 
results in higher prices, increased medical expenses and loss of 
business growth.
  Through public outreach programs, MDCALA increases awareness of 
frivolous litigation and the need for personal responsibility 
throughout the State. In particular, the MDCALA sponsored an essay 
contest for high school seniors earlier this year. In a terrific 
example of the concern of our next generation of voters, students from 
throughout Maryland took the time to craft thoughtful, well-written 
essays on the importance of personal responsibility in their daily 
lives.
  As a former member of the Maryland General Assembly, I worked hard to 
reform our legal system at the State level. During my tenure in 
Congress, I have supported efforts with respect to product liability 
reform, securities litigation reform, and reform of the Federal 
Superfund program. More importantly, I sponsored legislation that has 
helped reduce, in my view, frivolous class action lawsuits brought 
against mortgage brokers.
  Legal reform is a very complex issue. The legal system must function 
to provide justice to every American. This does not mean, however, that 
the status quo is necessarily perfect. When lawsuits and the courts are 
used in excess or to the detriment of innocent parties, the system 
should be reviewed and reformed if possible.
  For their efforts, let me acknowledge MDCALA Chairman, The Honorable 
Phillip D. Bissett; Board of Directors--Joseph Brown, Jack Doll, Janna 
Naylor, Vikki Nelson, Gary Prince, The Honorable Joseph Sachs, Dr. 
Michael Saylor, and The Honorable Michael Wagner; and Executive 
Director Nancy H. Hill.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, I remind our citizens that frivolous 
lawsuits--nationwide--clog our courts and prevent access to legitimate 
litigation. We must work together to implement common sense reform in 
order to restore fairness and justice to our legal system. I commend 
these citizens, and all involved in this worthwhile effort, for their 
dedication and commitment and to acknowledge this week as a time of 
public awareness on the serious issues associated with lawsuit abuse.

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