Proclamations
At the conclusion of the 2009 National Celebration of Pro Bono the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service received a letter from President Barack Obama, honoring the pro bono work of America's lawyers . Support from government officials and judges is one important way of celebrating the critical value that pro bono volunteers bring to communities, families and organizations across the country.
Past National Celebrations of Pro Bono have featured many successful efforts to generated proclamations and to use them in meaningful and motivational ways. Examples include:
Government Officials
Governors:
Georgia
http://www.probono.net/celebrateprobono/resources/item.341948-Governor_of_Georgia
http://www.probono.net/celebrateprobono/resources/item.270652-Commonwealth_of_Massachusetts_Proclamation_of_Pro_Bono_Month
North Carolina
http://www.ncbar.org/about/communications/news/2009-news-articles/gov-perdue-issues-pro-bono-week-proclamation.aspx
Governor Wolf Proclaims 2020 Pro Bono Week in Pennsylvania
Governor of the the State of South Carolina, Henry McMaster, Delares Celebrate Pro Bono Week
Elected Representatives:
Panellas County Florida Commissioners
http://www.probono.net/celebrateprobono/resources/item.342187-Panellas_County_FL_Commissioners_Proclamation
Delaware House Of Representatives Resolution
http://www.probono.net/celebrateprobono/resources/item.272178-Delaware_House_of_Representatives_Pro_Bono_Celebration_Week_Resolution
Pinellas County FL Board of County Commissioners
http://www.jud6.org/News/ProBonoWork091021.pdf
The General Assembly of Pennsylvania's House of Representatives Recognizes Pro Bono Week
Mayors:
Mayors of Akron, Wooster, and Youngstown OH
http://www.communitylegalaid.org/news/291-local-mayors-proclaim-october-25th-31st-as-pro-bono-week
Alabama Bar, sample letter to mayor requesting pro bono proclamation
Judges:
The Supreme Court of Alabama orders that October 2020 is designated as Pro Bono Month
Alabama Judges Joint Resolution
http://www.alabar.org/ProBonoWeek/images/Judicial-Information-Proclamation.pdf
Supreme Court of Iowa
http://www.iowacourts.gov/wfdata/files/Resoluions/probonoresolutionoct09.pdf
Creative Uses of Proclamations
Event Title: Proclamation Display in Lucas County (Ohio) Courthouse
Sponsoring Organization: Toledo Bar Association Pro Bono Legal Services Program
Location: Toledo, Ohio
Contact Information: Pat Intagliata, pintagliata@toledobar.org
Event Title: Pro Bono Week Kick-off Ceremony featuring a display of Proclamations at the New York Court of Appeals
Sponsoring Organization: New York State Bar Association
Location: Albany, New York
Contact Information: Gloria Herron Arthur, garthur@nysba.org