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Public
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Madeleine Albright Honored With 2007 William O. Douglas Award Accepting the 2007 William O. Douglas Award, former United States Secretary of State and Ambassador to the United Nations Dr. Madeleine K. Albright observed, "For law to serve its purpose it must be harnessed to that blind lady with the scales. Because when law is wedded to justice, it becomes a mighty force for civilization - and that is precisely the connection that Public Counsel strives to bring about. For the true measure of law is not found in what it can do for those who have much, its value is measured by what it does for those who have nothing except the law on their side." Albright was introduced by her predecessor as Secretary of State, Warren M. Christopher of O'Melveny & Myers LLP. "As one of the early Douglas law clerks, I am pleased and honored to introduce my friend, Madeleine Albright, and to be involved in this quite extraordinary honor to her in the presentation of the William O. Douglas Award," said Christopher. The 2007 Corporate Achievement Award was presented to Southern California Edison and was accepted by John E. Bryson, Chairman of Edison International, the parent company of SCE. "We at Edison do our best to be good citizens. We believe that businesses deserve to exist and be supported only if we’re good citizens, and an organization like Public Counsel gives us that special opportunity. Public Counsel makes our community a richer, healthier and more equitable place," said Bryson. Ronald L. Olson of Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP presented the Award to Bryson saying, "I know that is what drives the lawyers of Public Counsel. Giving voice where markets and government have failed is your role. Reducing human inequity is what gets you up in the morning. It's what keeps you at your desk late into the night." Noting Bryson's role as one of the co-founders of the National Resources Defense Counsel, he added, "No one understands that better than someone who has shared that mission." The Dinner was attended by nearly 1,400 people. Public Counsel Chairperson Karlene Goller, Deputy General Counsel and Vice President for the Los Angeles Times observed, "Tonight's Dinner will ensure that many of our neighbors who otherwise would be denied justice will instead be blessed by it because we have raised more than $2.3 million for Public Counsel." Goller thanked the Dinner co-chairs -- Rand April, David Johnson, Roman Silberfeld, Brian Strange, Gail Title and Marty Zohn -- for their leadership in making the evening such a success. The international law firm of Holland & Knight LLP was recognized with the distinguished Law Firm Pro Bono Award. Paul W. Critchlow, Counselor to the Chairman and Chairman of Public Markets for Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. presented the Award. "Last year, Holland & Knight attorneys provided approximately 60,000 hours of pro bono services...The firm proudly allocates three percent of its resources to this end. Truly, pro bono service is a core value of this firm," Critchlow said. Holland & Knight LLP's national managing partner, Howell W. Melton, Jr., accepted the Award noting, "Public Counsel has a long and rich history of advocacy on behalf of those who would otherwise not have access to our justice system. We have similar values at Holland & Knight and for that reason this Award means a lot to us." The Justice in Arts and Media Award was presented to former television emcee Monty Hall for his lifelong commitment to helping sick and disadvantaged children throughout North America. Hall said, "I don't like that term 'giving back' and I'll tell you why. Giving back presumes that we all made our fortune and then, like Daddy Warbucks, parcel out little bits of money to our organizations. It's not 'giving back' - it's a duty, an obligation, a responsibility. In my family it was the 11th commandment." Dan Grunfeld, President and CEO of Public Counsel, told the audience, "We are all here tonight linked by a passion for justice, opportunity and hope because, at some point, no matter where we come from, we, our families, our neighbors, our communities, our people have been the victims of evil, the subjects of injustice, the targets of hate, the victims of oppression, hopelessness or desperation." "Justice is created person by person, individual by individual. Thanks to you, we delivered more free assistance and utilized more volunteers, who helped nearly 26,000 clients. The woman dumped in skid row had a voice, the homeless teen got a chance to turn her life around, the child care facility in the distressed community prospered, and the elderly couple saved their home." Click here to view all pictures from the 2007 William O. Douglas Award Dinner. |
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