Excerpt of Remarks of Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle National Convention of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America Sunday, July 20, 2003

It's great to be among so many friends. Back in Washington, we've never worked more closely with ATLA Leadership and staff. This has been a challenging year. I can't remember a time when the basic rights and values of our justice system have been under such determined attack. But thanks to ATLA's leadership, and the work each of you has done with your own representatives and Senators, we've been able to hold the line. Actually, we've done even more than that. After September 11, Linda came to me and said that trial lawyers wanted to do their part to help victims. As you know, we created the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund. Today, there is a great deal of gratitude to trial lawyers for having agreed to represent the families of victims pro bono, through Trial Lawyers Care. It is the largest pro bono project in history, and a remarkable display of public service. TLC has been working with a South Dakota economist, Don Frankenfeld, to create a website so the families of victims know what compensation they are entitled to. Already, nearly half a billion dollars is in the hands of the victims' families. And I'm happy to be here to thank you for all your efforts.