Chairman’s note

Biblical scripture admonishes us to "give honor to whom honor is due." So many kudos go to Ole Pace for once again placing bar diversity on the front burner of the ISBA's agenda. President Pace has not only aggressively and consistently been studying this issue, but been out and about meeting with minority bar leaders and our committee to understand how we can make the number of minorities in the bar increase. He has also included us in many of his appearances at the various bar associations' activities.

On another note, I am fortunate to be working with an excellent group of committee members this year. We have hardworking members who have been laboring tirelessly on preparing television appearances, law student receptions (which have enjoyed great success), and the preparation of the annual conference.

Speaking of the annual conference, we are happy to report that the meeting in Collinsville broke new ground in that for the first time the meeting was moved out of Chicago. The turnout was impressive. The conference was capped by a lunch that was attended by minority and women attorneys from downstate from as far as Carbondale. Fittingly, the guest speaker was President Pace. President elect Robert Downs and Executive Director Robert Craghead were also in attendance. Who knows, maybe we will hold the meeting south of I-80 from now on.