Rep. Matsui Welcomes Sacramento Attorney to Washington, D.C.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tues., May 13, 2008
Rep. Doris Matsui Welcomes Sacramento Attorney to Washington, D.C.
Local Resident Receives National Honor
Rep. Doris Matsui (CA-05) welcomed Sacramento attorney Ralph Livingstone to her Washington, D.C. office (see attached photo for print). Mr. Livingstone was in the capitol to receive the Older Volunteers Enrich America Award from the MetLife Foundation. Mr. Livingstone was one of just 25 Americans over the age of 50 to receive the distinction for his volunteer work with the Sacramento Senior Legal Services and the California Senior Legal Hotline.
andquot;Mr. Livingstone has contributed tremendously to our community. He is one of Sacramento's champions, and provides a wonderful example of how one person can make a difference. I was honored to welcome him to Washington, D.C.,andquot; said Rep. Matsui.
andquot;Everyday, when I go to work in Congress, I am focused on ensuring a better Sacramento for the future. Knowing that people like Ralph are doing such great things back home assures me that together, we can build our region and bring more quality to the lives of all Sacramentans,andquot; said Rep. Matsui.
Ralph Livingstone has practiced law 45 years, both at CalTrans and in the private sector. He began volunteering with the California Senior Legal Hotline in 2000. From the start, he was a mentor to many new volunteers - from retired attorneys to law students -- as they joined the program. He has ramped up his service even more over the past year, as the hotline has been heavily hit with predatory lending and foreclosure cases. Ralph has devoted many hours to seeking resolutions for seniors who have fallen victim to predatory lending practices and are facing foreclosure. He donated more than 700 hours of pro bono work in 2007 and nearly 300 so far this year.
andquot;In Washington, we are working to address the mortgage crisis and stabilize our economy. While we have taken important steps in providing economic relief and working to preserve the dream of homeownership, more must be done. This week, I will introduce legislation to help homeowners at risk for foreclosure, but I know that people need help faster than the federal government can deliver it. That is why the work of Mr. Livingstone is so invaluable,andquot; said Rep. Matsui.
Senior Legal Hotline, a special program of Legal Services of Northern California, provides free legal information, advice and brief services to Californians over 60. Receiving effective, timely help can be crucial for vulnerable seniors who are facing foreclosure or eviction, need answers about health care, insurance, wills, trusts or grandparent rights, are concerned about credit card debt, victims of financial or physical elder abuse -- and much more.
Rep. Matsui also worked to secure nearly $80,000 through the Fiscal Year 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Bill for the California Senior Legal Hotline to increase services to non-English-speaking seniors. With this money, the Hotline will be able to implement and evaluate a comprehensive new system to dramatically increase these services. Across the country, such hotlines have developed an effective method of delivering help to seniors.
The hotline also houses Sacramento Senior Legal Services; which provides additional help to Sacramento seniors. It has an in-house phone mediation program as well for resolving disputes; and a new project helps clients of any age discover and secure pension rights.
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