Annual Meeting 2009
Holder, Gay Marriage and Health Care on ABA House Agenda #ABAChicago
Posted Aug 3, 2009 7:58 AM CST
By Edward A. Adams
The ABA’s policy-making House of Delegates begins its two-day session this morning, and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder’s address at 2:30 p.m. CT promises to be one of its marquee events.
Among the high-profile items on the 555-member House’s calendar are resolutions that:
• Urge repeal of a portion of the federal Defense of Marriage Act that denies federal marital benefits and protections to lawfully married same-sex spouses.
• Reaffirm support of federal legislation that would ensure every American access to quality health care regardless of the person's income.
• Ask courts to refrain from declaring that a lawyer has committed misconduct absent an opportunity to be heard and a finding that the conduct was intentional or a violation of a disciplinary rule or law.
William H. Gates Sr., a Seattle lawyer and father of Microsoft’s Bill Gates, will receive the ABA Medal, the association’s highest honor, at 10 a.m. CT today.
The ABA Journal will be posting updates throughout the two days of House sessions on ABAJournal.com and our Twitter feed. Both House sessions will also be webcast at www.totalwebcasting.com/live/aba.
More on the Annual Meeting '09 here:
Why is #ABAChicago in our Annual Meeting headlines? Check out our hashtags post: "ABA Annual Meeting 2009 on Twitter"
ABA Journal's Annual Meeting coverage at this link.
Flickr Slideshow: ABA Journal snapshots from Annual Meeting.
Interactive updates on the Annual Meeting from ABA Media Relations at ABANow.org.
- How B of A’s GC Got Fired: Leave Now, and Leave Your BlackBerry Behind
- Schools Ranked by 'Super Lawyers' Produced
- Law Firm Price Wars Break Out as Some Try ‘Loss Leader’ Bids for Work
- Five Questions for Law Firms Abandoning Lockstep Compensation
- Judge Jails 2 Attorneys for Contempt in 4 Days
- Reed Smith Will Ask Nonequity Partners to Pony Up Possibly 15% of Pay
- Court Deputy Ordered to Apologize or Face Jail After Taking Lawyer's Paperwork
- Skadden Jumps on the Bonus Bandwagon
- ABA Executive Director Resigns
- Nasty Attitude to Co-Worker, Naughty Word in E-Mail Cost 2 Their Jobs
Should Supreme Court Justices Be Able to Review News Accounts Before Publication?
Comments
B. McLeod
Aug 3, 2009 8:58 AM CST
Of the three “high-profile” issues mentioned, I can see why a professional organization of lawyers would take a position on the third one. That some delegates feel a need to take political positions on issues not central to the profession could be a factor in membership decline.
Flag this comment
J.D.
Aug 3, 2009 10:20 AM CST
The radical socialist agenda is destroying the ABA.
..and the Obama Administration, I might add.
Flag this comment
Joseph A. Mustich, Justice of the Peace
Aug 3, 2009 12:49 PM CST
Good to hear.
DOMA and DADT need to be repealed.
And of course a national health program for all Americans, aka, Medicare for All, is long overdue.
It’s good for society and business.
Just ask any of other civilized and industrialized nations of the world.
Joe Mustich, Justice of the Peace,
Washington, Connecticut, USA
Flag this comment
tim
Aug 3, 2009 1:45 PM CST
Comment removed by moderator.
Flag this comment
Karen Grube
Aug 3, 2009 6:14 PM CST
You have GOT to be joking. What a crock! How stupid can a group of people possibly be? What, do they somehow think that doing what they suggest won’t be the opening for a full-blown argument on gay marriage, which the people of this country clearly DO NOT WANT! What part of NO do these people not understand? The people of this country have voted overwhelmingly to reject gay marriage and pretty much the entire gay agenda! Get over yourselves guys.
Hey, here’s a thought. Next time, try actually asking the membership what they think before you make stupid decisions and take idiotic actions like this! It would be nice for a change if a representative body actually represented the people who put them there!!!! What a concept, or is that to cerebral for you? But then I guess you’re just following the President and Congress’ lead in doing whatever you want despite what real people think.
Honestly, you need to rethink this. It’s just wrong.
Flag this comment
Zach S
Aug 4, 2009 11:25 AM CST
“That some delegates feel a need to take political positions on issues not central to the profession could be a factor in membership decline.”
I couldn’t agree more and frankly I’m leaning towards not renewing my ABA membership next time it comes around…
Flag this comment
Jamie
Aug 4, 2009 3:15 PM CST
“That some delegates feel a need to take political positions on issues not central to the profession could be a factor in membership decline.”
Ironic. The ABA’s position on the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act” just solidified my continued membership. I’m surprised and a little embarrassed for those who feel they must “defend” that Act—gay or not.
Re: Karen Grube / “try asking the membership…”—they did.
Flag this comment
Add a Comment
We welcome your comments, but please adhere to our comment policy.
Commenting has expired on this post.