[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12779]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                          TRIBUTE TO AL SMITH

 Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, today I recognize the exemplary 
work of Allen Smith, Jr., of Helena, MT. This week, Al will be awarded 
the American Association for Justice Partnership Award in recognition 
for his work as the executive director of the Montana Trial Lawyers 
Association. I commend Al for all his work on behalf of the justice 
system and Montana's strong network of legal advocates.
  The mission of the American Association of Justice is ``to promote a 
fair and effective justice system--and to support the work of attorneys 
in their efforts to ensure that any person who is injured by the 
misconduct or negligence of others can obtain justice in America's 
courtrooms, even when taking on the most powerful interests.'' I can 
think of no one that reflects this mission more than Al Smith.
  Since joining the team at the Montana Trial Lawyers Association in 
1997, Al has shown a commitment to promoting justice and fairness in 
our country's legal system. His desire to serve MTLA comes from his 
respect for its members who, each day, work for justice by holding 
governments, corporations, and other powers accountable to individuals. 
As MTLA president Sydney McKenna wrote last year, ``[Al] articulate[s] 
in a compelling way why the courts are necessary, that causes and 
damages are part of justice, and that justice matters.''
  During the past 13 years serving as the executive director of the 
Montana Association, Al has worked hard to represent the bar in both 
State and Federal matters. I have had the privilege of working with Al 
on a number of Federal initiatives and have always appreciated Al's 
thoughts on how Federal legislation could impact the rights of 
individuals in the legal system.
  Al also serves on the boards of directors for the National 
Association of Trial Lawyer Executives and A.W.A.R.E., a private, 
nonprofit organization providing quality, community-based services for 
persons with disabilities. Al served as the executive director and 
attorney for the Montana Advocacy Program, which works to protect and 
advocate for the human, legal, and civil rights of Montanans with 
disabilities. In 2009, Al was awarded the Montana Trial Lawyers 
Associations Public Service Award. Al received the Annual Award for 
Advocacy from the National Association for Rights Protection and 
Advocacy in 1991. He received his bachelor's in political science from 
Montana State University and his juris doctor from the Hastings College 
of the Law at the University of California.
  As a lifelong Montanan, Al has a deep appreciation for the State and 
all it has to offer. In his spare time, Al enjoys to hunt, fish, kayak, 
and climb Montana's beautiful mountains. Al is married to Marilyn, who 
was born and raised in Anaconda, and together they have two children--
daughter Kait and son Ben.
  I again congratulate Al for his recognition by the American 
Association for Justice.

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