[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Pages 3913-3914]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       NOMINATION OF JOHN G. LEVI

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, today the Senate finally confirmed John G. 
Levi to be a member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services 
Corporation. His nomination has been pending on the Senate Executive 
Calendar since October 21 when reported favorably by the Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
  Mr. Levi is a partner in the Chicago office of Sidley Austin LLP 
where he has spent more than 25 years specializing in employment 
litigation, executive compensation, and labor-management relations. 
Despite the demands of his legal practice, he has always found time to 
give back to the community.
  In addition to leading his law firm's adopt-a-school program, where 
he oversees lawyers and staff involved in mentoring activities in 
public schools, Mr. Levi has been involved in juvenile justice and 
access of justice issues, serving on both the Cook County Citizens' 
Committee for the Juvenile courts, and the board of the Jane Addams 
Juvenile Court Foundation. He also serves on the advisory board for the 
Northwestern University Law School Center on Wrongful Convictions. He 
is the immediate past president and longtime trustee of the Francis W. 
Parker School in Chicago. He is the recipient of the 2004 Abraham 
Lincoln Marovitz ``Lend A Hand'' volunteer award, and was awarded a 
honorary diploma by the Parker School in 2003.
  Considering Mr. Levi's strong commitment to public service, it is not 
surprising that President Obama has appointed him to the Board that 
oversees the vital work of the Legal Services Corporation, LSC. The LSC 
is the Federal agency that coordinates provisions to ensure that low-
income Americans have access to adequate legal representation. The 
corporation employs lawyers who are experts in areas such as health 
care, housing, Social Security, consumer problems, welfare, and 
employment. These immensely important issues affect millions of 
Americans each year; many of whom are unable to afford legal assistance 
when they need it most. I know that in my own State of Vermont, LSC has 
provided legal assistance to many low income people in such matters and 
that local legal aid lawyers rely extensively on their national support 
centers.
  The Legal Services Corporation plays a critical role in ensuring that 
justice is carried out in a manner consistent

[[Page 3914]]

with the Constitution's promise, and when justice is served fairly, it 
benefits us all and strengthens the integrity of our legal system.
  I will always remember the important service to the country provided 
by his father, Attorney General Edward H. Levi, at a difficult time in 
our Nation's history. His is a family of outstanding lawyers. They have 
made a significant contribution and make a significant difference to 
the people who need the protection of the law. John Levi is a strong 
addition to LSC's board of directors. I congratulate him and his family 
on his confirmation. I look forward to working with him.

                          ____________________