[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7265]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF NEW YORK COUNTY LAWYERS' ASSOCIATION CENTENNIAL

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                          HON. JERROLD NADLER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 29, 2008

  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the New 
York County Lawyers' Association (NYCLA) which is celebrating 100 years 
of hard work and dedication in providing services to the legal 
profession and the public of New York City.
  The New York County Lawyers' Association was founded one hundred 
years ago for the purpose of combating systemic exclusion of lawyers 
from bar membership on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity and sex.
  In the past century, the Association has grown to 10,000 members, 
earning national prestige for its commitment to promoting the public 
interest. The NYCLA has continuously pursued the administration of 
justice through reforms in the law, by elevating standards of integrity 
and professionalism in the legal field, and by providing free legal 
services for those in need.
  Over its long history, the NYCLA has sponsored countless initiatives 
that have contributed to the improvement of New York's justice system. 
The Association has played a major role in the reduction of court 
congestion, the rehabilitation of delinquent children, the 
implementation of anti-discriminatory provisions of the Internal 
Revenue Code, and the attainment of higher compensation for attorneys 
representing the indigent.
  NYCLA has also issued many highly influential reports and resolutions 
to call attention to shortages of our legal system. These include 
calling for measures to reduce false confessions in criminal trials, 
ensuring right to counsel for residential tenants in Housing Court who 
cannot afford representation, and securing just compensation for 
judges.
  The Association further offers a variety of meaningful Pro Bono 
Projects that provide counseling and representation to the low-income, 
indigent and other persons in need. Included among these are projects 
that provide assistance to lay guardians with low assets, basic estate-
planning documents to low-income persons, and counseling in the areas 
of family, employment, consumer bankruptcy and landlord/tenant law.
  Consistently, the Association has worked to meet the changing needs 
of legal practice in the 21st century. The Association's highly 
acclaimed Continuing Legal Education Institute offers attorneys a 
variety of educational programs. NYCLA also facilitates public 
awareness and education on a wide array of issues through its forums 
and lecture series.
  Today I rise to recognize and congratulate The New York County 
Lawyers' Association for 100 years of outstanding and dedicated service 
to the people of New York and for its groundbreaking work in furthering 
the administration of justice.

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