FEDERAL FUNDING FOR CAPITAL CASE RESOURCE CENTERS
 
WHEREAS, the United States Congress is presently considering proposed legislation concerning the renewal of funding for post conviction defender organizations (capital case resource centers), with hearings scheduled before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Judiciary and the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on the Judiciary on March 30 and March 31, 1995, respectively;

WHEREAS, the Philadelphia Bar Association has repeatedly expressed its strong support for the creation, maintenance, and continuing role of capital case resource centers, including the Pennsylvania Capital Case Resource Center;

WHEREAS, these organizations provide desperately needed expert advice and assistance to counsel in death penalty matters, particularly in view of recent anti-crime legislation that has dramatically expanded the potential number of death penalty cases;

WHEREAS, the American Bar Association strongly supports renewed funding for capital case resource centers throughout the country and has urged state and local bar associations to oppose current proposals to reduce or eliminate such funding;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Criminal Justice Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association requests that the Board of Governors of the Association resolve to join the American Bar Association in opposition to any reduction in federal and funding for capital case resource centers or post-conviction defender organizations.

PHILADELPHIA BAR ASSOCIATION
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
ADOPTED: April 26, 1995