There has been extraordinary national support for Legal Service Corporation (LSC) funding for FY 2020, according to ASLA Executive Director Fainuulelei Alailima-utu.
LSC is the main grantor for the American Samoa Legal Aid.
This is the third year in a row that the White House budget proposal has recommended that funding for LSC be eliminated.
However, the U.S. House of Representatives letter of support for LSC FY 2020 funding was co-sponsored by three Republicans and three Democrats and signed by 209 Members.
The U.S. Senate letter of support for LSC funding was co-sponsored by two Republicans and one Democrat and signed by 46 Senators.
Furthermore, there has been an outpouring of support for LSC from the legal and business communities across the nation. The Conference of Chief Justices submitted a letter of support.
So did 262 General Counsels from some of the largest American businesses, 180 law firms from all 50 States, 42 bipartisan Attorneys General and 167 Deans of law schools in the U.S.
Executive Director Ala’ilima-Utu extends his appreciation to all those who support continued funding for LSC and ASLA, with special mention for the Conference of Chief Justices, Congresswoman Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen, Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale and Dean Jennifer L. Mnookin of Fainuulelei’s alma mater UCLA School of Law.
Fainu’ulelei states, “Justice is an American value that is ingrained in the first sentence of the U.S. Constitution. Helping the poor, those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged get equal access to justice is what ASLA is about. “
