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January 8, 2009
STATEMENT FROM NEW YORK STATE BAR ASSOCIATION
PRESIDENT BERNICE K. LEBER ON GOVERNOR PATERSON'S STATE OF THE STATE
ADDRESS
New York State Bar Association President Bernice K.
Leber (Arent Fox LLP) released the following statement regarding
Governor David Paterson's State of the State address:
“Governor Paterson outlined a positive agenda to help us
revitalize our economy, reinvest in our communities, and promote job
opportunities for future generations of New Yorkers. Our economic
development is also largely dependent upon having an environment that
can sustain such growth, and I applaud the Governor for his bold
“45 by 15” clean energy initiative that will protect the
environment, improve our quality of life, and develop additional
renewable energy resources. Just as we must address the global warming
crisis during these tough economic times, we also urge Governor Paterson
and our state leaders to dedicate some of New York's limited resources
to ensuring that the poor have access to civil legal services. How
we serve our most vulnerable citizens in dire circumstances is one of
the virtues that defines us, and with a relatively small amount of
money, we can offer much help and protection to many New Yorkers.
These tough fiscal and economic times have affected people from all
walks of life, and the State Bar stands poised and ready to assist our
state and federal government leaders in ensuring that New York makes a
full recovery and reasserts its position as the financial capital of the
world. While we recognize the tremendous fiscal challenges facing
the state, we remain committed to working with the Governor, the Senate
and Assembly on our key legislative initiatives, including improving
access to the justice system, attracting and retaining the best and
brightest minds to our judiciary, providing adequate civil and criminal
legal services to the poor, reforming the indigent criminal defense
system, and enhancing support for the legal profession.
The legal system is the cornerstone of our democratic government, always
acting as a pillar of strength while defending the rights of our
citizens, even during the toughest of times. By working together,
we can ensure equal access to justice for all.”
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The 76,000-member New York State Bar Association is the
largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. Founded in 1876,
the State Bar's programs and activities have continuously served the
public and improved the justice system for more than 130 years.
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