IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION congratulating Julie Levin on her award of the 2009 Kutak-Dodds Prize from the National Legal Aid and Defender Association.
Intro
RESOLUTION #16943, June 29, 2009
INTRODUCED BY Dennis Waits, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, Julie Levin was awarded the 2009 Kutak-Dodds Prize from the National Legal Aid and Defender Association for her work with Legal Aid of Western Missouri in Kansas City; and,
WHEREAS, this award goes to one Legal Aid attorney nationally whose work has promoted the enhancement of human dignity and quality of life for people unable to afford legal representation; and,
WHEREAS, Gregg Lombardi, Legal Aid of Western Missouri's Executive Director, stated that Julie was awarded the honor for her ground-breaking work on public housing issues in Kansas City, which has been a key component in the vast improvement in Kansas City's public housing over the last twenty years; and,
WHEREAS, in 1988, Julie began an investigation into public housing, which uncovered rat, mice and cockroach infestation, dangerous deterioration of plumbing and electrical systems, serious deterioration of buildings, and a pervasive environment of threatening criminal activity; and,
WHEREAS in 1989, Julie initiated the lawsuit of Tinsley v. Kemp challenging these deplorable conditions, which resulted in the Housing Authority being placed in receivership and ordered to devote $125 million toward the renovation of existing public housing and the construction of new public housing; and,
WHEREAS, through her work on the Tinsley case, Julie became the second attorney to force a public housing authority into receivership, setting a standard for advocates nationwide and creating a model of success; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, that the Legislature hereby recognizes and honors Julie Levin on her award of the 2009 Kutak-Dodds Prize from the National Legal Aid and Defender Association, as well as her years of dedicated service providing high quality legal work to those who could not afford it.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________ ______________________________
Deputy County Counselor County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution #16943 of June 29, 2009, was duly passed on June 29, 2009 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas ________9_______ Nays ______0________
Abstaining _____0____ Absent _____0_______
________________________ ____________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature