[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 16447]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   SALUTING NATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION

  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the 
National Bar Association that will hold its 83rd national convention in 
Houston, Texas. Many of its activities will be in the 18th 
Congressional District. The National Bar Association was formulated 
when its membership or its members were rejected in their attempt to be 
members of the American Bar Association.
  Out of that creation came the opportunity to be at the cutting edge 
of civil rights legislation and litigation.
  I want to salute the Houston Lawyers Association, salute the past 
presidents, the president and board of directors, and particularly I 
want to salute the National Bar Association for its enormous history of 
civil rights fighting, fighting for those who cannot speak for 
themselves.
  Lawyers of the National Bar Association are patent lawyers, 
prosecutors, defense lawyers, and most of all, the holders and 
protectors of the Constitution. They have fought the cases in 
desegregating schools. They have provided opportunities for those who 
have sought equal employment. Yes, Mr. Speaker, they are in fact the 
conscience holders of the legal bar because the National Bar 
Association continues to stand for justice and equality and 
opportunity.
  I am so proud that they are coming to Houston, Texas, to celebrate 
the 83rd annual convention, an organization of lawyers that have put 
forward the cause of justice. I salute them and congratulate them.

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