Congressman Cohen Receives Award for Promoting Equal Access to Justice

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Bar Association (ABA) last night presented Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN-9) with its Day Award for his work to increase funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) – a nonprofit organization charged with providing legal assistance to low-income families across the country who cannot afford to hire an attorney. He also was recognized for addressing racial and ethnic disparities in the federal criminal justice system.

“It is a pleasure and an honor to be recognized by the American Bar Association,” said Congressman Cohen. “We must work to ensure that those who need a lawyer get the legal representation they deserve. Everyone should have access to legal counsel regardless of financial means and I will not stop working until this goal is met.”

“Congressman Cohen is a noted fighter for civil rights and justice for all Americans and the American Bar Association is pleased to honor him with its ABA Day Award,” said ABA President Carolyn B. Lamm. “At a time when struggling Americans urgently need legal help, Congressman Cohen is a champion of the organization behind such assistance — the Legal Services Corporation. He has also been untiring in his efforts to address racial and ethnic disparities in the federal criminal justice system. Congressman Cohen's leadership within the House Committee on the Judiciary is exemplary and we look forward to continuing to work with him on these important issues.”

In presenting the award, the Association recognized Congressman Cohen’s efforts to reauthorize the Legal Services Corporation Act. LSC was established by Congress in 1974 to promote equal access to justice and provide grants for civil legal assistance to low-income families, but the Act has not been reauthorized since 1977.

The ABA also noted how the Congressman -- who Chairs the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law -- authored the Justice Integrity Act (H.R. 1412) to address racial and ethnic disparities in the federal criminal justice system by establishing advisory panels to study the problem and recommend solutions.

The ABA is a group of lawyers that works to improve the legal system for the public, provides law school accreditation, legal education and information about the law. It also organizes and administers programs to assist lawyers and judges. The ABA has more than 400,000 members across the country.