SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 12, 2013 – The 2013 ABA Medal, the American Bar Association’s highest honor, was awarded today to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the ABA Annual Meeting in San Francisco.

Upon accepting the award, Clinton called on “citizen lawyers” to ensure that every American citizen has the right to vote. She laid out a three-part plan intended to counter the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Shelby vs. Holder that “struck at the heart of the Voting Rights Act,” Clinton noted. Clinton’s proposed plan includes stepped up enforcement, new legislation to replace the provisions of the act that were struck down by the court and grassroots action by citizens and lawyers.

“In the weeks since the [Supreme Court's] ruling, there has been an unseemly rush to exact or enforce laws that will make it harder for some of our fellow Americans to vote,” Clinton said. “Unless we act now citizens will be disenfranchised and victimized by the law instead of served by it.”

Clinton announced that today’s speech was the first of three she will give over the next few months that will address the assault on voting rights, balance and transparency in our national security policies and the implications of these issues for America’s global leadership.

According to ABA President Laurel G. Bellows, Clinton was chosen as the 2013 ABA Medal recipient because she embodies the virtues of the legal profession – fidelity, acumen, dedication and integrity.

“We honor Hillary Clinton with this award because of all she has done to make the needs of the poor and defenseless a priority while transforming the legal profession for women. She has given so much to the public good in a lifetime in pursuit of social justice,” said Bellows. “Name three modern women who have advanced the rule of law and championed the cause of women’s rights and Hillary Clinton will likely come to mind first.”

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