News Release
AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Access to Justice
Commission and Texas Access to Justice Foundation
honored Senator Robert Duncan with the Texas Access
to Justice Legislative Hero Award for his
contributions to improving access to justice in
Texas during a special presentation today in
Lubbock. Texas
Supreme Court Justice Nathan L. Hecht, the Court’s
liaison for access to justice issues, presented the
award to Senator Duncan during the 60th
anniversary celebration of Legal Aid of NorthWest
Texas.
Senator Duncan has a long history of supporting
civil legal aid issues, including efforts that led
to an appropriation of funding in the recent
sessions for basic civil legal services. Through his
leadership efforts, Senator Duncan has helped
improve access to justice for those vulnerable
Texans unable to pay for legal assistance from
private attorneys.
“Senator Duncan’s support in the Legislature helps
many struggling Texans with basic civil legal
services, such as benefits for veterans,
foreclosures, 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 honored to
receive this award for such an important cause from
the Texas Access to Justice Commission and
Foundation," Sen. Duncan said. “The success of our
civil justice system depends on the ability of all
types of citizens to access our courts.
It is important for the legislature to
recognize this by supporting TAJC in its mission to
provide Texans with the legal services they need.”
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.
Senator Robert Duncan is known in the Texas Senate
for his tireless work ethic, keen understanding of
complicated policy and stellar reputation. Since
elected in 1996, he has crafted major legislation
impacting: water rights; healthcare transparency and
affordability; the integrity of public investment
funds; public and higher education; and the
efficiency and effectiveness of our civil justice
system.
Each legislative session since 1999, Senator Duncan
has served on the Senate Finance Committee. He has
routinely compounded that victory for West Texas by
earning a coveted seat on the budget conference
committee, which hashes out the final appropriations
bill.
Since 2004, Senator Duncan has served as chairman of
the State Affairs Committee. He was elected and
served as president pro tempore of the Texas Senate
during the 81st Legislative Session. Senator Duncan
is also a member of the Natural Resources Committee,
the Committee on Higher Education, the Jurisprudence
Committee, and served during the 81st interim on the
Select Committee on Public School Finance Weights,
Allotments and Adjustments. During the 82nd interim
he will serve on the Joint Oversight Committee on
Higher Education Governance, Excellence and
Transparency.
Senator Duncan's efforts in the Senate have been
highlighted by honors based on his work ethic,
legislative accomplishments and leadership. Texas
Monthly has five times named him among the state's
10 best legislators. It has also listed him as a
"Texas Super Lawyer" for his professional reputation
in the private sector.
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 approximately 120,000
Contact: Kimberly Schmitt
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