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4 Goal IX 1 (1995-1996)

handle is hein.journals/goal4 and id is 1 raw text is: GO,2

TO PROMOTE FULL AND EQUAL PARTICIPATION IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION BY MINORITIES

Volume 4, Number 1, Fall 1995

ANA Endnrses Affirmative Action

The ABA House of Dele-
gates, at the assocication's 1995
Annual Meeting in Chicago, took
a bold step and endorsed affirma-
tive action, an issue that has gen-
erated a considerable national
debate.
But unlike the results from
other venues across the country,
supporters of affirmative action
came out winners during this ses-
sion. The House of Delegates,
which sets policy for the ABA,
amended the association's consti-
tution to endorse legal remedies
and voluntary actions that take
into account as a factor race,
national origin or gender to elimi-
nate or prevent discrimination or
otherwise serve a compelling soci-
etal interest. Upon passage of the
amendment, Judge Bernice B.
Donald, chair of the Commission
on Opportunities for Minorities in
the Profession, stated, I am
pleased that the association con-
tinues to demonstrate a willing-
ness to engage in honest and
objective debate on legal issues of
great interest and importance to
society. The ABA is to be com-

mended for its strong record of
leadership.
The resolution was submitted
by the Section of Individual Rights
and Responsibilities and cospon-
sored by the Commission on
Opportunities for Minorities in
the Profession, the Commission
on Women in the Profession, the
National Bar Association, the His-
panic National Bar Association,
and the National Asian Pacific
American Bar Association.
I am glad that the ABA has
taken this positive and visible
stance in support of this impor-
tant issue, said Jose E. Gaitah,
president-elect of the Hispanic
National Bar Association and a
new commissioner of the Com-
mission on Minorities.
ABA to Add Diversity
to Its Ranks
In a related action, the House
of Delegates and the Board of
Governors ensured minority rep-
resentation when it passed pro-
posals to allow the addition of
women and minorities to each

governing body. Currently, there
are no formal mechanisms in
place that guarantee the inclusion
of women and minorities in the
ABA's governing process.
Six at-large positions, thtee
minorities and three women, will
be added to the Nominating Com-
mittee, which selects the presiden-
tial candidates and other officer
positions of the ABA. Nomina-
tions will be submitted by the
Commission on Minorities and
the Commission on Women. The
ABA president will make appoint-

Ad Astra Per Aspera: To
the stars through difficulty. The
ABA Commission on Opportuni-
ties for Minorities in the Profes-
sion has established this award to
celebrate minority lawyers who
have achieved professional
excellence.
The award recognizes contri-
butions to the legal profession of
lawyers of color who have active-
ly paved the way to success for
other minority lawyers. The Spirit
of Excellence Award celebrates
the rich diversity that racial and
ethnic minority lawyers bring to
the legal profession and to
society.
The recipient of the Spirit of
Excellence Award will be a lawyer

ments from these nominations,
which will become effective at the
conclusion of the ABA's 1996
Midyear Meeting.
The House of Delegates also
approved the addition of two
minority and two women at-large
meml:ers to the Board of Gover-
nors, which is the administrative
arm of the House of Delegates.
The candidates for the at-large
positions will be submitted by the
Commission on Minorities and
the Commission on Women.

of color
0 Who has made significant
contributions to the
advancement of racial or ethnic
diversity in the profession;
* who has influenced other ethnic
or racial minorities to pursue
legal careers;
0 who has advanced opportunities
for racial or ethnic minorities
within a practice area or
segment of the profession.
The Spirit of Excellence Award
will be presented at a luncheon on
Saturday, February 3, 1996, in Bal-
timore, site of the 1996 ABA
Midyear Meeting. To reserve a
table or tickets please fax your
request to the Commission on
Minorities at 312/988-5647.

AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION
COMMISSION ON OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINORITIES IN THE PROFESSION

Cnmmisinn's New Spirit of
Exellane Awird

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