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News Release
AUSTIN, Texas –
The Texas Access to Justice Commission and Texas
Access to Justice Foundation will honor State
Representative Jim Pitts with the Texas Access to
Justice Legislative Hero Award for his contributions
to improving access to justice in Texas during a
special presentation in Waxahachie on Friday, Feb.
24. Texas
Supreme Court Justice Nathan L. Hecht, the Court’s
liaison for access to justice issues, will present
the award to Representative Pitts during the 60th
anniversary celebration of Legal Aid of NorthWest
Texas.
As chairman of the Texas House Apprpriations
Committee, Representative Pitts was instrumental in
protecting Texans’ fundamental right to access the
courts, including efforts that led to the
preservation of funding for basic civil legal
services.
Through his leadership efforts,
Representative Pitts assured that the infrastructure
for volunteer and staff legal aid was preserved for
those families in economic crisis with serious legal
problems.
“Representative Pitts’ support in the Legislature
helps many struggling Texans access the justice
system to obtain help in civil legal matters; such
as benefits for veterans, health care for the
elderly, and domestic violence,” Justice Hecht said.
“At a time of dwindling resources, we are grateful
for the support as we continue to provide access to
justice to Texans in need.”
"I am truly honored to accept this award from the
access to justice community," Representative Pitts
said.
"It was my privilege to assist the effort to protect
all Texans' fundamental rights within our justice
system."
The Texas Access to Justice Commission and
Foundation launched the Legislative Hero Award
program in 2010 to recognize legislators who,
through their efforts, have significantly advanced
access to justice in Texas by assisting with the
appropriation of funds and/or other substantive
activities related to the provision of legal aid in
the state.
Representative Pitts has represented House District
10 since 1993 and currently serves as the chairman
of the House AppropriationsCommittee, his second
appointment to the position in the last three
sessions. He has also served on the House
Transportation, Economic Development; State, Federal
and International Relations, and Redistricting
committees.
An attorney, he has practiced law in
Waxahachie for more than 20 years.
Legal aid organizations funded by the Texas Access to Justice Foundation help more than 120,000 low-income Texas families each year with their civil legal needs. Yet, for every person who is helped with legal aid, a qualifying Texan is denied assistance due to a lack of resources. Currently, only one legal aid lawyer is available to provide assistance for every 11,152 Texans who qualify.
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The
Texas Access to Justice Commission
was created in 2001 by the Supreme Court of
The
Texas Access to Justice Foundation
(www.teajf.org),
created by the Supreme Court of Texas in 1984, is the primary
state-based funding source for the provision of civil legal aid in
Texas. The organization is committed to the vision that all Texans will
have equal access to justice, regardless of their income. The Foundation
administers a variety of funding sources, which are earmarked to assist
nonprofit organizations in providing legal aid to more than 120,000
Texas families each year.
Contact: Kimberly Schmitt
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