Title
Honoring the Barristers' Association of Philadelphia on its 60th Anniversary.
Body
WHEREAS, In 1950, attorneys Curtis Carson, Thomas Reed, Arthur Thomas, Charles Wright, and Robert Williams established the Barristers' Association of Philadelphia ("Barristers") with the purpose of addressing the professional needs and development of Black lawyers in the City of Philadelphia through programs such as seminars, cultural events, and publications; and
WHEREAS, Since its origin, the Barristers have recognized the need and obligation to be a pro-active advocate against injustice and have demonstrated its advocacy through numerous causes including participating in the Liacouras Commission which investigated ways to eliminate racial discrimination in bar admission procedures, filing an action against the Philadelphia Registration Commission which resulted in 50,000 Philadelphians obtaining the right to vote, and lobbying the Pennsylvania General Assembly for the merit selection of judges; and
WHEREAS, In more recent years, the Barristers have sponsored or participated in activities which promoted youth awareness and career opportunities in the legal profession, increased citizens' awareness of their rights under the law, provided scholarships to minority law students to encourage and support more African Americans to pursue law degrees, and organized continuing legal education seminars and political education forums for its members and the general public to facilitate professional development and political awareness; and
WHEREAS, The Barristers encompass a network of approximately 1,000 lawyers and jurists who serve society at the highest positions in both the private and public sectors of the legal profession and the Barristers are an affiliate of the National Bar Association, an organization of practicing African American lawyers, judges, and law students in all 50 states and the District of Columbia; and
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