president’s message By Benny Agosto, Jr. Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner
Choices
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very day we make choices, for the good of our family, our firms, our city and our country. And for our own good. The Covid-19 pandemic has shaken our country. But even the darkest night will end, and the sun
difficult the challenge that choice may bring. • Service to others –Service that is predicated on empowering others, looking out for each other, supporting each other, and building a better future together.
will rise. Traditionally, spring is a time for growth and new begin• Determination –Determination that is characterized nings. Even as we face turbulent times, I see our bar and our by an attitude of faith, steadfast commitment, pacommunity coming together to adapt the way we live our tience, and optimism that human beings can prevail daily lives, serve our clients and help those against all odds. in our community who are in need. I assure you that the Houston Bar Association is comYou made a choice to be a member of the mitted to providing you with vital services Houston Bar Association. Our pledge to to help you continue to effectively serve your The Covid-19 you is that we will work hard to keep you clients. And we are gearing up to continue up to date on developments that impact pandemic has shaken our profession, provide CLE and other the service to our community that is the hallmark of our great association. our country. But even programs that help you navigate changes Stay home orders, teleconferences, Zoom in the way we practice law, and provide meetings, video depositions—all have the darkest night will you with opportunities to use your legal changed the way we practice law and have beexpertise to help restore our community. end, and the sun come the new normal. How we adapt to CoPlease reach out to me and let me know vid-19 is key. Change is never bad as long as will rise. Traditionally, how we can continue to work together to we change for the better. serve you and our community. Let’s make spring is a time for One of the changes I have made in my daily choices that will positively impact the peolife is to make more time to read; not just leple around us. I pray for the many friends growth and new gal reading, but reading to keep my mind and and family of the HBA. Please stay well spirit well during these tough times. Recently, beginning.” and stay safe. The Houston Bar AssociaI have been reading about Cesar Chavez, the tion is here for you. eminent Latino American civil rights activI leave you with these words on choices ist, who would have celebrated his birthday from an unknown author. on March 31. He taught us many core values that I believe can help us today. Chavez once said, “We draw our strength I Choose Love from the very despair in which we have been forced to live. I choose Inclusion. I choose Empathy. Compassion. We shall endure.” Today, I want to share with you these thoughts about the values that will get us through this unEquality. Dignity. Diversity. I choose Community. certain time. Kindness. Integrity. Honesty. Respect. I choose Justice.
The Houston Lawyer
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• A preference to help the neediest among us –A concerted effort to support programs that reach the most needy, the forgotten people in society, no matter how 6
March/April 2020
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I choose Facts. Peace. The Planet. I choose Humanity. I choose Love.
