In remembering Martin Luther King Jr.’s words — Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?’ — we are reminded of the profound impact of giving back to our community.
Recognizing the critical need for legal assistance, especially for those facing challenges without the means to hire an attorney or access limited legal aid, attorneys across Alaska will observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as “A Day On, Not a Day Off” by generously volunteering their time for the fifteenth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Legal Clinics.
This statewide initiative will be held on January 15, 2024, and seeks to address the legal needs of thousands of Alaskans, fostering equal access to justice.
Alaskans with civil legal problems can expect first-come, first-serve consultations with an attorney at these free in-person clinics in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and Bethel.
Attorneys will be available to provide advice on a wide variety of issues, including family law (child support, custody, divorce, guardianship), housing (eviction, foreclosure), public benefits (Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security), employment, personal injury, probate, estate planning, and Native allotments.
Alaskans with low or moderate incomes can also submit legal questions at alaska.freelegalanswers.org. This free legal clinic is available any time of the year but will have extra staffing on MLK Day to serve those unable to attend one of the in-person clinics.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Day Legal Clinics are sponsored by the Alaska Bar Association, the Alaska Court System, and Alaska Legal Services Corporation and honor Dr. King’s spirit of service and advocacy for equality and social justice.
Times and locations will vary by community. For more information, visit www.alaskabar.org/mlk.
Becky Kruse, Pro Bono Service Committee Chair
Alaska Bar Association
College Football In Disarray
As a Penn Stater, class of 1963, I was disappointed with the loss to Mississippi in the Peach Bowl, and I was irate with the key Penn State football players who sat out the game. Four of them signed up for the NFL draft and one entered the transfer portal.
These players enjoyed full scholarships during their years at Penn State and were held in high regard as potential graduates.
The current transfer portal system has created the “Wild West” of college football. Players can transfer during the election period, and conceivably transfer schools four times during their college years. This adds tremendous instability to football programs and adversely impacts student-athletes education.
The four Penn State football players who sat out the bowl game for fear of being injured and losing out on NFL contracts let down the school, the alumni, and themselves, but most of all they let down their teammates, so called “brothers”, who relied on them to be there. The dropouts deserted the team. Note: I watched almost all of the bowl games, and there were no injuries that would have impacted future contracts.
College football players should be required to finish the season, including bowl games. Their football scholarships for a given year should stipulate playing in bowl games.
Donald Moskowitz
Londonderry NH
Penn State University
Class of 1963
