Bicameral Resolution Marks 50th Anniversary of the Lawyers' Committee's Boston Affiliate
Washington, DC - United States Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Stephen F. Lynch, along with their colleagues from the Massachusetts congressional delegation, today introduced a resolution to honor the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice. The resolution, which was introduced today in both chambers of Congress, commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice, the Boston affiliate of the Washington, D.C.-based Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and recognizes the organization's many contributions to the fight for civil rights and equal justice for all. Joining Senator Warren and Representative Lynch in sponsoring the resolution were Senator Edward J. Markey and Representatives Richard E. Neal, James P. McGovern, Michael E. Capuano, Niki Tsongas, William Keating, Joseph P. Kennedy III, Katherine Clark and Seth Moulton.
"With the foundations of our democracy under attack every day, it is critical that we have organizations such as the Lawyers' Committee at the forefront of the fight for equal justice," said Senator Elizabeth Warren. "The excellent work that the Lawyers' Committee in Boston has done over the past 50 years to protect the rights of the most vulnerable among us deserves recognition in the U.S. Congress, and I am glad to join my colleagues in introducing this resolution to express our gratitude to them."
"I am honored to join my colleagues to help recognize the wonderful and positive impact made by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice to the advancements of civil rights for the past 50 years," said Congressman Stephen F. Lynch. "It has been a blessing to our society that we have organizations such the Lawyers' Committee in Boston that will 'fight the good fight' to protect the Constitutional rights of all our people."
"Now more than ever, we need the Lawyers' Committee to stand up and fight the daily attacks on our justice system and fight for those who need protection the most," said Senator Edward J. Markey. "It is the invaluable, irreplaceable work over the past half century by the legal warriors at the Lawyers' Committee in Boston that has helped protect the rights of all Americans. Lawyers' Committee is doing God's work every day, and it is time Congress recognize them for their accomplishments."
"As Dean of the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation, I am pleased to join my colleagues in support of the extraordinary work done by the Lawyers Committee's Boston Affiliate for the past 50 years. At this moment in our nation's history, the American people count on organizations that fight for civil rights and economic justice every day. The Lawyers Committee continues to stand up for the most vulnerable in our society and that is why I am proud to co-sponsor this important resolution today," said Congressman Richard E. Neal.
"Equal justice under law is not inevitable. It takes hard work and perseverance to fight for what's right," said Congressman Jim McGovern. "For 50 years, that's exactly what the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice in Boston has done. Their tireless work to oppose discrimination and speak out on behalf of disenfranchised communities is an inspiration to us all. I'm so proud to join my colleagues in recognizing their unwavering commitment to justice."
"Since its inception, the Lawyers' Committee of Boston has set out to ensure that the civil rights and liberties of all Americans, especially the most vulnerable members of our communities, are protected," said Congressman Bill Keating. "It is only right that Congress recognize their perseverance and dedication to justice as they work to promote their mission in a time when rights are being challenged almost daily. Along with my colleagues, I honor them for their 50 years of outstanding work and look forward to the critical contributions they will make over the next 50."
"Laws are little more than words on a page until advocates, activists and lawyers give them meaning and ensure the promises they make extend to every single American life," said Congressman Joe Kennedy III. "For five decades, the Lawyers' Committee has fought for a nation where laws are applied equally and justly regardless of a person's skin color, gender or zip code. With this resolution, Congress can play a small part in recognizing the contributions and sacrifices of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice."
"For fifty years, the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice has led the fight for a more inclusive and just America," said Congresswoman Katherine Clark. "We continue to need their leadership and righteous advocacy to ensure that we live up to our country's promise of equal and fair treatment under the law."
The Lawyers' Committee is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, whose mission is to secure equal justice for all through the rule of law, particularly in the areas of criminal justice, fair housing and community development, economic justice, educational opportunities, and voting rights. The national Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law was founded in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy and their Boston-based affiliate, the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice, was founded five years later, in 1968.
The resolution highlights several contributions that the national Lawyers' Committee and its eight local affiliates have made to the struggle for equal justice in the United States and around the world, including:
The resolution celebrates the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice and expresses gratitude for the national Lawyers' Committee and all of its 8 local affiliates for their work to advance civil rights and their dedication to the pursuit of equal justice under the law.
In addition to Boston, the Lawyers' Committee has local affiliates in Chicago, Illinois; Denver, Colorado; Jackson, Mississippi; Los Angeles, California; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; San Francisco, California; and Washington, District of Columbia.
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