What a tremendous honor to be here. In reviewing the names on the Past Presidents’ Page of my Membership Directory, it is very humbling to be included with such great lawyers, many of whom have gone on to become great judges.

Even as the temporary leader of this fine organization representing approximately 2,000 members, encouraging all of you to become active or remain active, one of my personal philosophies is "family comes first." That said, please welcome mine.

First and foremost I would like to thank God. I came to DuPage County in 1981. The proverb, "You have me lie down in green pastures," seems so appropriate. Yes, being a lawyer is relentless hard work. But I need to stop and say, we live in America; and, not just any place in America, but in one of the best counties in America. On top of that, we are professionals and well compensated for our services. The least of our brothers and sisters are wealthy beyond the imagination of many in this world. "Praise God from whom all blessings flow."

Thank you, Justice Callum for those kind remarks and inspirational message. Whether it has been your service to the State’s Attorney’s Office, while in private practice, as Associate Judge, Chief Judge and now Appellate Court Justice, you have conducted yourself consciously with class, dignity and style which you have proven to our members once again here tonight.

I would like to also thank Justice McClaren for his stirring invocation. Justice Jorgensen, thank you for your words of encouragement and I look forward to working collaboratively with you in bench/bar relations.

Thank you to our dedicated staff for your continued hard work and efforts:

Glenda Berg Sharp – Our Executive Director

Gloria Norton – Assistant to the Executive Director and MCLE Manager

Jackie Hamler – Financial and Information Systems Manager

Christine Reed – Driver Improvement School Administrator

Eric Delgado – Lawyer Referral Service Administrator

Despite those titles, the Officers and Directors all know that you all wear many hats throughout each day and I look forward to working with all of you over the next 12 months in providing our membership and the public with the highest quality service which they richly deserve. Together we will fulfill my commitment to the lawyers of DuPage County that, "Every member matters."

I brought with me this evening the membership certificate I received in 1981. It is signed by President Ralph A. Gabric and Secretary/Treasurer Glen Schillerstrom.

Ralph Gabric called his Presidency of the DuPage County Bar Association, "The highlight of my legal career." Ralph was one of my favorite mentors. I loved his direct, no nonsense style. He treated all lawyers equally and with respect. He was continuously positive and encouraging. I feel Ralph has given me permission to wear a yellow tie tonight (one of his trademarks) and I do so in his honor. Even before becoming President of the DCBA, Ralph was known as "the great humanitarian." As we all know, Ralph went on to be President of the Illinois State Bar Association.

Speaking of the ISBA, congratulations to Irene Bahr who is being installed as ISBA president a week from tomorrow night in Lake Geneva. Irene has some exciting ideas in leading the ISBA and I know that she will be an awesome president which will make us all very proud. To coin a phrase from Sox announcer Hawk Harrelson, "I love the ISBA."

When I became a DCBA member in 1981, the annual budget was $185,000 per year. The Association had less than $100,000.00 in assets and limited no non-dues revenue. What a difference between then and now. Tuesday, the Budget Committee finalized the 2006-2007 budget. The upcoming year’s budget is projecting revenues at $745,000.00. Of that, only about 30% is derived from membership dues which bodes well for providing top quality member and community services. The forethought, dedication and talent of our prior leadership have made this possible. Additionally, the Association’s net worth has been substantially enhanced primarily because of the leadership’s foresight in purchasing and building the bar center.

The bar center first opened in May, 1988. Bar leaders had talked about buying a building and tried to save for it for at least 10 years prior. It became a reality when they established a "Patrons Committee" which included Wally O’Brien, Lester Munson, Ross Toran, Henry Burt and Patrick Leston to name a few.

The Association was cash strapped and did not have sufficient liquidity to make the bar center a reality. Henry Burt stepped up and said, "Here is my check for $1,000. If all of you do the same we’ll get it done." The Patrons Committee began; the plaque hanging in our boardroom is a memorial to the patrons of that era.

The DCBA is of the lawyers, and by the lawyers but it is not just for the lawyers. We are far more than a mere trade association. Community services include, but are not limited to, the Lawyer Referral Service (newly revised and enhanced providing the public with an initial free consultation and our members with at least five times the number of referrals as we had experienced in years past). Law Day activities include a scholarship, mock trials and the Ask A Lawyer Program. Driver improvement school provides a valuable alternative to both the judges and the public in what might otherwise result in a citizen’s loss of his or her driving privilege and the ability to support his or her family.

Lawyers lending a hand, led by former Executive Director Edna Wollenberg and Assistant State’s Attorney Paul Marchese, proves that lawyers are willing to not only dream big dreams, but also put on their overalls and work, providing community service assistance at places like food pantries, nursing homes and animal shelters.

Most importantly, Keith Roberts, Harold Field, Anthony Peccarelli, Ralph Dichtl and others formed the DuPage Legal Assistance Foundation. In 1982, Michael Galasso assumed leadership. The Foundation acquired grant money and in October, 1983 hired its first full-time attorney, Elizabeth Proctor, to serve the legal needs of the underprivileged of DuPage County. The DuPage County Bar Legal Aid Service, under the tremendous leadership and tireless efforts of our champion, Brenda Carroll, is dedicated to providing the highest level of legal representation to the low income citizens of our County.

Let me now provide you with my best right hook. In the year 2005, the enabling power of the DCBA has in conjunction with the fine efforts of Brenda Carroll and the Foundation’s officers and directors, provided 5,445 hours of free legal services to the underprivileged of DuPage County. This includes not only the services of 2 or 3 full-time staff attorneys, but also the pro-bono work of our own members. Placing a reasonable value on a lawyer’s hour, that is over one million dollars in free legal services to those in need from a suburban county bar association which to my knowledge is unprecedented. We should all be very proud of that achievement.

On the lighter side, Judge Darah’s March, 1984 President’s Page ended with the words "Long Live Judges’ Night." Other participants in that year’s show included Bob Cox, Ralph Gabric, Keith Roberts, Tony Mannina on electric guitar, Joe Laraia as Bugs Bunny, Richard Lucas as a young judge in short pants, Charlie Ruth as Judge Unverzagt, Joe Mirabella, Harold Field and Lester Munson. Needless to say, the leading lawyers of that era were not afraid of the spotlight. Judge Darrah, I request leave to concur: "Long Live Judge’s Nite."

Speaking of Judge’s Nite, Tom and Dave Laz are here tonight. They have spent a combined 47 years participating in the show. Figuring each show requires at least 80 hours of meetings, preparation and practice, that’s a total of 22 months of service by the Laz brothers for our entertainment and as a service to our Bar association. How about a standing ovation for "All That Laz."

This year, I am happy to announce that Susan Alvarado will again be the Producer and Kevin Millon, Director. It’ll be a great show – "I’m the president and I guarantee it."

With the new MCLE requirements, we are projecting from 25 to 40 opportunities per year for our members to meet their MCLE requirements. Beginning July 1, 2006, our members will need to average 10 hours per year of certified MCLE credits. The DuPage County Bar Association will be certified as a presumptive provider. We will provide opportunities over the lunch hour as well as in the afternoon and on Saturdays to meet your MCLE needs. Our MCLE opportunities will be reasonably priced and conveniently located during the work week at the bar center classroom and at our new Attorney Resource Center. As I once said at a Bench/Bar Meeting, "Pizza and an MCLE certificate (two bits)."

It’s getting late, but before I conclude I would like to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate the past Presidents that I personally have had the opportunity to sit in the Board Room with. Each of you had your own special talents and ability in moving this locomotive we call the DCBA further and faster down the track.

Christine Ory – Dedicated, sincere, and steadfast. She was omni-present and also a leader on our behalf at the I.S.B.A.

Patrick Rice – He was a bull dog, not to be intimidated. I’ll take his moxy.

Richard Felice – "How ya doin’?" I’ll need an Irish flag. He was motivated and motivated others. His meetings were fun and I wish I had his energy.

Jim McCluskey – Finger always on the pulse of the County. He didn’t micro-manage, he was always in control. Jim, more than anybody I know, assisted young lawyers up the ladder of success and that is a legacy which will bear fruit for years to come.

Donald Ramsell – Everybody thought of him as the showman. However, he was very diplomatic in the Board Room and an astute businessman. Our Platinum Corporate Sponsors began with Don. I am now happy to report that in addition to Thomson West and Winfield Community Bank, the Law Firm of Walsh, Knippen, Knight and Pollock has become a DCBA corporate sponsor as well as Security 1031 Services, LLC.

Kevin Millon – In addition to his well known humor, wit and skills as an entertainer, as President he was always fair and even handed. Kevin Millon is "the great facilitator."

Neal Cerne – They said he was frugal while a Director (something to do with a color photocopier) but as President everything he did was "first class." Neal would say, "We can do better than that, we’re lawyers." Neal’s word is his bond. He is as honest and straight forward as it gets. If Neal Cerne is your friend, you have something very important.

Chuck Roberts – Always politically aware, astute and professional. Hopefully, I’ve taken good notes.

Just as you are anxious to move on, so are our future leaders.

On deck – Fred "Tadahito" Spitzzeri has vowed to "move the runner along" and "swing for the fences" next year.

In the hole – an iron man in his own right, who Else but Tom.

Our new clean-up hitter – Kent "big dog" Gaertner.

We have a diverse, intelligent and conscientious Board of Directors. John Pleviak will continue with his dedicated services as Treasurer. Mike Scalzo has agreed to be our Assistant Treasurer. Please welcome John Pcolinski as our new General Counsel and John Stock as Assistant General Counsel, all of whom have signed a commitment to do just as I ask. I’m sorry, that was last year.

In conclusion, I’ve outlined just a minor portion of the rich history of this association. My theme for the year is "Every Member Matters." Allow me to make my first major mistake as President. My cell phone number is 630-202-4989. As you know, the Installation Speech is the first President’s Page of the Brief. If any of you 2,000 members have a problem with what we are doing or even more importantly wish to dedicate your time, talent or treasure, call me. But before you do, please note that this year’s budget calls for an increased contribution from the DCBA budget to legal aid, we’ve lowered courthouse passes by 1/3rd and your dues notice should contain a pleasant surprise. (It was reported by Keith Roberts in the May 1989 Brief that the DCBA did not raise dues for a period in excess of 10 years in the 70’s and 80’s. Somehow, we have found a way to top that.)

(Answering ringing phone – "What do you mean you don’t like my speech and it’s too long… Politics also means relying on someone who has shown the willingness to get involved and the dedication to follow through with results…, you know, we could turn this into bar bouts and casino night, instanter.")

Putting on my DCBA hat, I’ve got work to be done… – "Do I hear a motion to reconvene next Thursday, noon at Cantigny?" Thank you for coming and your patience – we are adjourned.