In light of the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act) coming to a vote in Congress, President Stephen N. Zack of the American Bar Association urges Senators and Representatives to vote in favor of the DREAM Act in a letter to Congress.

At last, the American legal profession has clear and final relief from attempts to solve a non-existent problem that would have created paper-pushing and raised legal costs. Congress acted decisively in passing legislation that clarifies how the Federal Trade Commission should apply the Red Flags Rule.

Today marks the 69th anniversary of the Japanese military’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. As memories age, it is important that we never forget those members of “The Greatest Generation” who sacrificed their lives to defend our liberties and the rule of law not only at Pearl Harbor but during the entire period of World War II. The American Bar Association is committed to liberty, freedom, and justice. As its president, I proudly remember and salute those who served and sacrificed 69 years ago to protect those values!

There is not a single American who does not support the overall principles of the deficit commission and they should be praised for taking on such a hard and complicated issue. The ABA has just received this report and will immediately study its proposals. However, regarding medical malpractice claims, this fundamental principle holds true: People who are hurt must have a way to be made whole, and have their long term care and expenses covered.

Following aggressive advocacy on behalf of America’s lawyers, the end is in sight regarding how the Federal Trade Commission should apply the “Red Flags Rule. Last night’s Senate vote to clarify the rule so that lawyers are clearly not included was a critical step in ending a bureaucratic effort to solve a non-existent problem with paper-pushing regulations that would have increased legal costs.

It has been 30 years since the first AIDS cases have been diagnosed in the United States. On World AIDS Day, we remember the more than half a million Americans who we have lost to this disease. We renew our commitment to overcoming the stigma and discrimination that persist, which blocks effective HIV prevention, testing and treatment; and we recommit to protecting the civil and human rights and the health information privacy of people with HIV/AIDS in the United States and throughout the world.

Children in the United States should have the opportunity to fulfill their potential and contribute to the welfare and security of this country. It should be the policy of our nation to promote and reward young scholars and the selfless heroism of those who volunteer to protect us. The DREAM Act serves this purpose.

ABA President Stephen N. Zack was one of six recipients of the prestigious Legal Legends Award, given by the HistoryMiami’s 11th Judicial Circuit Historical Society on Nov. 20. This honor is bestowed upon legal professionals who have committed at least 25 years to South Florida’s legal system.

On this United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women — which coincides this year with America’s Thanksgiving Day — we should be thankful for the advances that the United States and the world have made in recognizing that there is no place for violence of any type against women. But our work is far from complete.

The American Bar Association applauds the Federal Trade Commission’s recent decision to broaden the attorney exemption in its new rule on Mortgage Assistance Relief Services. By exempting most practicing lawyers who help consumer clients to renegotiate their mortgages or avoid foreclosure, the final FTC rule released last Friday will allow lawyers to continue to provide the critical legal services and expertise homeowners in crisis need.

The mission of every lawyer is to provide aid and counsel to our clients and improve access to the justice system—not to push paperwork that attempts to solve what is, for the legal profession, a non-existent problem and promises to raise legal costs.

“The civil rights enforcement system has been simply unable to adequately enforce anti-discrimination laws on behalf of Latinos,” said Janet Murguia, president of the National Council of La Raza, speaking last week in Chicago at a public hearing of the American Bar Association Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights and Responsibilities.