Title
Recognizing and Honoring Juvenile Law Center on its 50th Anniversary.
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WHEREAS, Juvenile Law Center, founded in 1975 by four Temple Law School graduates, was established as the first nonprofit, public interest law firm for children in the United States, and has since grown into a national advocacy organization dedicated to fighting for the rights, dignity, equity, and opportunity for youth; and
WHEREAS, For five decades, Juvenile Law Center has worked tirelessly to reduce the harm caused by the child welfare and justice systems, limit their reach, and advocate for their ultimate abolition, all while striving to create an anti-racist world that treats children with dignity and as children, allows them to thrive within their families and communities; and
WHEREAS, The organization has developed an innovative and comprehensive approach to advocacy, combining legal advocacy, policy advocacy, youth-led initiatives, and strategic communications to address systemic failures and bring about lasting and transformative change; and
WHEREAS, Juvenile Law Center's groundbreaking work has led to several landmark Supreme Court decisions that have shaped juvenile justice in the United States, including:
* Roper v. Simmons (2005), abolishing the death penalty for youth;
* Graham v. Florida (2010), banning juvenile life without parole sentences in non-homicide cases;
* J.D.B. v. North Carolina (2011), recognizing age as a relevant factor in Miranda custody determinations;
* Miller v. Alabama (2012), ending mandatory juvenile life without parole sentences in homicide cases; and
* Montgomery v. Louisiana (2015), applying the Miller decision retroactively; and
WHEREAS, Juvenile Law Center's role in exposing and addressing the Luzerne County "kids-for-cash" scandal brought national and international attention to judicial corruption and the exploitation of youth, demonstrating the organization's unwavering commitment to justice; and
WHEREAS, The organization's impa...
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