Morris Dees, the co-founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, was chosen to receive the highest award from the American Bar Association. Morris received the ABA Medal in Chicago at the annual meeting last month. ABA President Bill Robinson said Morris is an outstanding example of a lawyer who moves the country toward tolerance and equality case by case.

Morris and Joseph Levin started the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) in 1971. Morris is known for having won cases that helped integrate government and public institutions, and for fighting white supremacist hate groups. He took on cases that some considered unpopular, but that didn’t deter him or SPLC in their quest for justice and fair play. I can think of no person more deserving than Morris Dees to receive this distinguished award from the American Bar Association. Morris, a tremendous lawyer, is a great American by any standard.

Source: Associated Press