(Washington, DC) The National Legal Aid and Defenders Association announced today U.S. Representatives Susan Brooks (R-IN 5) and Joseph Kennedy III (D- MA 4) will receive the organization’s Justice Through Public Service Award. This prestigious award honors public servants who have, through leadership, advocacy and engagement, significantly enhanced the accessibility of justice in the United States for those unable to afford legal counsel.
In 2015, Representatives Brooks and Kennedy established the Congressional Access to Civil Legal Services Caucus. The caucus provides a unique nonpartisan platform for elected officials to advance policies that improve and expand civil legal services. This caucus is also a forum to elevate the congressional debate around access to justice in America.
“I am so honored to recognize Congresswoman Brooks and Congressman Kennedy for their work with NLADA’s Justice through Public Service Award,” said Jo-Ann Wallace, president of NLADA. “Their bi-partisan leadership is a powerful reminder that a fair and equal justice system is not only simply a social good, but a fundamental pillar of our democracy.”
Congresswoman Brooks is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, serves on the Communications and Technology, the Health, and the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittees and is the Chairwoman of the House Committee on Ethics.
Congressman Kennedy serves as a member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee. He works on health care, economic justice and civil rights.
“Tonight’s awardees join a distinguished list of previous honorees, and we look forward to their continued leadership to ensure all Americans have access to equal justice,” said Wallace.
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The National Legal Aid & Defender Association, founded in 1911, is America’s oldest and largest nonprofit association devoted to excellence in the delivery of legal services to those who cannot afford counsel. NLADA has pioneered access to justice at the national, state and local levels through the creation of our public defender systems and other important institutions from The Sentencing Project to the Legal Services Corporation. A leader in the development of national standards for civil legal aid and public defense, NLADA also provides advocacy, training and technical assistance for equal justice advocates across the country.