Legal aid services are imperative for low-income citizens, Massachusetts legislators said yesterday at an Equal Justice Coalition award ceremony.
“Part of the essence [of democracy] is making sure that all religious and ethnic people have a fair shot at whatever systems we have established,” said Rep. Frank Hynes (D-Plymouth), a staunch supporter of legal aid funding for the needy.
Hynes was one of five legislators who received awards from the coalition at the ceremony that took place at the Suffolk University School of Law.
Awardees supported legislation for legal assistance in cases involving domestic violence, child support and custody, access to health care and economic abuse.
Judge David Donnelly, state Senate President Thomas Birmingham, state Sen. Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford) and Rep. Eugene O’Flaherty (D-Suffolk) were also awarded for their dedication to the cause.
Boston resident Carol Ventura thanked Montigny for his part in passing healthcare legislation. Holding up the nursing bill that helped her get over $23,000 for 151 days of care for her late father, Ventura explained her family’s situation.
“Both of my parents worked hard to put my sister and I through college. Together, their pensioned incomes never exceeded $17,000. With the numbers, it is evident that my mother could not maintain a household and provide care for my dad,” she said.
Two of the Ventura family’s requests for a hearing against her insurance company were denied before legislation allowed her to benefit from legal assistance, she described. Thanks to legal aid, the Ventura family now has a hearing, she said.
“There are too few people … that truly stand embattled for what the community needs to survive and prosper,” Montigny said upon receiving his award.
“Out of survival, sometimes, we turn our backs on reality, and we can’t do that with health care today, especially with all the horror stories of those not receiving equal justice around the world,” he continued.
Thomas Kramer, a presenter at the awards ceremony, claimed Hynes was highly instrumental in obtaining a significant amount of fiscal aid.
“The difference between what Frank did, and what if Frank hadn’t done it, happens to be $13 million,” he said.
Josette Dottin, who received legal aid to keep her housing, presented Birmingham’s award.
“Without that legal service, I’d probably be on the street right now,” Dottin said.
Chairman of the Equal Justice Coalition, Stephen O’Leskey, had words of encouragement for the future.
“For those of you still working with the legislature, this year promises to be just as challenging as last year,” he said. “We appreciate your efforts; they are well displayed today.”
Montigny agreed legislators faced a challenge.
“As long as big firms have big clients, big bank accounts, there are going to be little people with little challenges that have no access to a little piece of justice.”
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