House Resolution 128 PAG LIN 1 1 HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 1 2 BY MADDOX AND MILLER 1 3 A Resolution to honor the National Bar Association for 1 4 its important contributions to the legal profession 1 5 and the judicial process. 1 6 WHEREAS, the National Bar Association was organized 1 7 on August 1, 1925, in Des Moines, Iowa, to serve as an 1 8 organization for African=American lawyers; and 1 9 WHEREAS, the objectives of the National Bar 1 10 Association are to advance the science of 1 11 jurisprudence, improve the administration of justice, 1 12 preserve the independence of the judiciary, uphold the 1 13 honor and integrity of the legal profession, promote 1 14 legislation that will improve the economic condition 1 15 of all American citizens, regardless of race, sex, or 1 16 creed, and protect the civil and political rights of 1 17 all United States citizens; and 1 18 WHEREAS, the National Bar Association is the 1 19 nation's oldest and largest national association 1 20 representing African=American lawyers and jurists, 1 21 with 84 affiliate chapters in the United States and 1 22 with affiliates in several countries, representing a 1 23 professional network of over 20,000 lawyers, judges, 1 24 educators, and law students; and 1 25 WHEREAS, the National Bar Association has an 1 26 illustrative history of filing amicus briefs in 1 27 support of civil rights, championing the pro bono 1 28 legal movement, providing legal assistance to needy 1 29 individuals, and supporting equal opportunity and 1 30 voting rights; and 2 1 WHEREAS, the National Bar Association sponsors 2 2 college scholarships and a legal camp to introduce 2 3 high school students to the legal profession, and has 2 4 provided law school officials with an assessment of 2 5 recruitment, retention, and placement of minority law 2 6 students; and 2 7 WHEREAS, the National Bar Association developed a 2 8 judicial selection process to ensure gains in minority 2 9 judgeships through the federal Omnibus Judgeship Act, 2 10 sponsored a summit among minority bar associations 2 11 nationwide, and has engaged in a host of other 2 12 activities to support the growth of minorities in the 2 13 legal and judicial professions; and 2 14 WHEREAS, the National Bar Association has conducted 2 15 commercial law seminars to promote minority business 2 16 ownership, held the first Black=on=Black Crime 2 17 Conference, and promoted minority business enterprises 2 18 through technical assistance and education programs; 2 19 and 2 20 WHEREAS, the National Bar Association has supported 2 21 efforts to promote equality and justice around the 2 22 world, including providing observers to the first all= 2 23 race democratic election in South Africa, and 2 24 providing delegations to assist economic and political 2 25 developments in other African countries; NOW 2 26 THEREFORE, 2 27 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 2 28 That the House of Representatives recognizes the 2 29 important contributions of the National Bar 2 30 Association in promoting equality and justice through 3 1 responsible legal methods, not only in the United 3 2 States but around the world, and that the organizing 3 3 event which led to the founding of the National Bar 3 4 Association represents a historical milestone in the 3 5 history of Iowa. 3 6 LSB 6764HH 80 3 7 kk/cf/24