Earlier this fall, we honored longtime NLG member Jim Fennerty at our annual celebration. Rep. Chuy Garcia wrote this statement to celebrate Jim’s decades of dedication to the movement.
Dear Jim, Janet, and all my friends in the National Lawyers’ Guild: As I cannot attend the Chicago NLG Annual celebration, I want to convey congratulations to the Guild, all the awardees, and a few special thoughts for Jim Fennerty and his well-deserved award. I have known Jim for nearly 48 years. I first met Jim when he practiced immigration law, and I was a paralegal with the Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago at the immigration project office on 16th Street and Blue Island in Pilsen. Jim was a staunch defender of the rights of immigrants then and now, doing everything possible to help our neighbors gain residency, apply for political asylum, or appeal decisions to the Board of Immigration Appeals. He was an early advocate of the great need for immigration reform and fairness. As Evelyn and I befriended Jim and Janet, one of our most treasured memories was Jim’s efforts to enable both my wife Evelyn and I to visit Palestine in 1989 during the first Intifada. Jim was and remains a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause for liberation and self-determination, as am I. On this trip, Dick Riley, another great friend who passed several years ago, also accompanied us. Seeing the occupation and its oppression of Palestinians cemented my belief in supporting this most noble cause. I am eternally grateful to Jim for helping make this happen. Finally, Jim Fennerty could always be counted on to help us on election day as an NLG Legal Observer to ensure the integrity of elections on Chicago’s Southwest Side as we battled and dismantled the Chicago machine organizations. As someone who was fortunate to meet and do work with Arthur Kinoy, I am thrilled that Jim is receiving this great distinction. He has paid his dues, made personal sacrifices, and always kept the flame of liberation lit … in good times and in challenging times as well. Jim, thank you for all of your service to humanity and changing the world for the better. Your friend, Chuy United States Representative 4th District, Illinois and Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC)
