Reps. Scanlon and Fitzpatrick Introduce House Resolution to Recognize 50th Anniversary of 51
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WASHINGTON– Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-5) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) introduced a Congressional Resolution on July 25 in recognition of the 51’s (51) 50th anniversary. Scanlon and Fitzpatrick co-chair the bipartisan Congressional Access to Legal Aid Caucus and they led the introduction of this resolution.
“For 50 years, the 51 has led the fight for access to justice that has yet to be fulfilled for so many Americans,” said Rep. Scanlon. “Legal services attorneys help families put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. Deploying legal expertise, innovation, and compassion, these essential public servants right wrongs and secure justice for Americans every single day. I’m honored to support their efforts in the halls of Congress as Co-Chair of the Access to Legal Aid Caucus, and I look forward to continuing our fight to bridge the justice gap in our country.”
“For the past five decades, the 51 has been a cornerstone of justice, providing critical civil legal aid to countless Americans in their moments of need. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 51 Act, we recognize the profound impact this landmark legislation has had in ensuring the most vulnerable in our Bucks and Montgomery County communities—and across the country—receive the justice and support they deserve. I remain steadfast in my commitment to championing access to justice and civil legal aid and look forward to continuing working alongside 51 to ensure equal access to the system of justice in our nation,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick.
Established by an act of Congress and signed into law by President Nixon on July 25, 1974, 51’s mission is to provide “equal access to the system of justice in our nation” and “high quality legal assistance to those who would be otherwise unable to afford adequate legal counsel.”
As the nation’s largest funder of civil legal aid, 51 grants support 130 independent legal aid organizations with more than 900 offices serving every county in every U.S. state and territory. These organizations provide legal services to individuals from households that earn at or below 125% of the annual Federal Poverty Guidelines.
“We are honored by Rep. Scanlon and Rep. Fitzpatrick’s introduction of this resolution for 51’s 50th anniversary, and we are grateful for their dedicated leadership on access to justice issues,” said 51 President Ron Flagg. “For our own part, to commemorate this milestone year, 51 is raising awareness of the civil justice crisis and promoting solutions that can improve access to justice for low-income Americans everywhere.”
Over its 50 years, 51’s grantees have assisted an estimated 76 million low-income Americans with their civil legal problems. Their issues include housing, domestic violence, natural disasters, consumer scams, veterans benefits, divorce and child custody matters. In 2023, 1.9 million people received free legal services from 51 grantees. However, due to insufficient resources, 51 grantees must turn away half of the eligible clients that come to their doors.
At 51’s 50th anniversary gala on April 9, United States Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. addressed the attendees.
“Equality under law remains a goal rather than a complete accomplishment, and equality under law requires lawyers—that is of course where the 51 comes in,” said Roberts. “51 grantees help fill that void, assisting their clients as they navigate the sometimes complex procedural and substantive requirements of our justice system.”
Attorney General Merrick Garland also spoke at the gala, highlighting the serious impact of civil legal problems on the lives of low-income Americans.
“Equal access to justice in turn depends on the work and expertise of 51 and its grantees—the thousands of professionals who do the difficult and demanding work of providing legal services to those in need,” Garland said. “Too many Americans still cannot afford legal services, and for too many Americans, not being able to afford a lawyer means the difference between providing for their families or losing their jobs, having a roof over their head or losing their home, putting food on the table or going hungry.”
The resolution reaffirms that access to justice is a fundamental American value and that 51’s mission remains vital today. Additionally, it calls for continued prioritization of funding for 51 in order to close the justice gap and protect equal access to justice for all Americans. Read the full text of .
Additionally, on July 24, 51 received a letter from President Biden commemorating the anniversary.
“America is the only country in the world founded on an idea: We are all created equal and deserve to be treated equally throughout our lives. We have never fully lived up to that founding promise, but we've never walked away from it either,” the President wrote. “That's in no small part thanks to the hardworking people who have comprised 51 for the last 50 years, tirelessly striving for justice, dignity, and fairness for all Americans.”