Phillips Lytle LLP and New York State Bar Association Launch Statewide Essay Contest in Recognition of 50th Anniversary of Brown V. Board of Education

    BUFFALO, N.Y., March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Phillips Lytle LLP, with offices in
 Buffalo, Rochester, Chautauqua, Albany, New York City and Garden City, in
 conjunction with the New York State Bar Association, today announced a
 statewide essay contest in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the historic
 Supreme Court case of Brown v. Board of Education in which the high court
 ruled separate but equal as unconstitutional.  Five winners will be selected
 and will have the opportunity to meet Linda and Cheryl Brown at a program
 series commemorating the 50th anniversary of Brown V. Board of Education at
 the Robert H. Jackson Center and the Chautauqua Institution from April 28
 through 29, 2004.
     "Brown v. Board is one of the most historic Supreme Court rulings, and the
 decision ruling separate but equal as unconstitutional essentially began the
 civil rights movement," Gregory L. Peterson, Esq., Board President, Robert H.
 Jackson Center and a partner at Phillips Lytle LLP said.  "We are very honored
 to be sponsoring the statewide essay contest with the New York State Bar
 Association as well as the program series featuring the Brown sisters and four
 of the clerks to the Justices that served on the Court during the Brown
 ruling."
     The essay contest is open to high school students throughout the state who
 must be studying American History and currently enrolled in an American
 History and Government class.  The subject of the essay is:  "Can separate
 ever be equal?"  The essay should demonstrate an understanding of the history
 and importance of the Supreme Court ruling in the case.  Essays must be
 received no later than March 15, 2004 and the winning essays will be chosen by
 April 15, 2004.
     "Brown v. Board of Education has significant historical relevance to
 school age children, especially high school students who are studying the
 Supreme Court for the first time," Debbie Shayo, Executive Director, New York
 State Bar Association, Law, Youth and Citizenship program said.  "It is
 important that our youth study, remember and commemorate such decisions as
 Brown V. Board of Education which forever changed public education in
 America."
     Essays will be judged on the understanding of the subject in question;
 original thinking relative to the subject; effectiveness in presenting a
 point-of-view; and, good literary style and technique.  The judging panel will
 be comprised of teachers and educators selected by the New York State Bar
 Association (Law, Youth and Citizenship Program).
     For more information about contest rules and procedures 716-483-6646 or
 visit www.roberthjacksoncenter.org or www.nysba.org.
 
      CONTACT:
      Rebecca E. Farbo
      Phillips Lytle
      716-847-8307
 
      Earl Wells/Therese Hickok
      E-3 Communications
      716-854-8182
 
 

SOURCE  Phillips Lytle LLP