Berks County Bar Association The Berks Barrister Spring 2021 - 5

w w w.BERKSBAR.org

Opening Statement

" This would be a great time
in the world for some man to
come along that knew something "

I

f you're looking to start a story
or an article with a witty and
insightful quote, I recommend
perusing the bank of quotes from
Will Rogers, the great entertainer and social commentator from
the early part of the 20th century.
Rogers' quotes withstood the test of time, in part because of
his subtle humor and his keen ability to make complicated issues
easy to understand.
The headline on top of my first column as your Bar
Association President comes from a September 1931 column
Rogers published in the New York Times.

Known as " The Daily Telegram " , Rogers wrote these columns
from 1926 until his tragic death in a plane crash in 1935.

Consider the parallels between the past year and the world in
1931 that Rogers astutely observed could use someone who knew
something.
Back in 1931, the United States and the world was still
reeling from the Great Depression. The unemployment rate in
the United States hovered around 15 percent before skyrocketing
to 23 percent in the coming years.
Americans wanted Prohibition repealed after more than a
decade of having to duck into speakeasys to quench their thirst
for alcohol.

This past year has been chock-full of complicated issues, many
of which are difficult to understand.
None of us could have predicted last year at this time that our
daily routines of going to the office, gathering for birthday parties
and holidays with our families, cheering on our kids at sporting
events would be so disrupted for so long. And while we are not
contending with a widely unpopular Constitutional amendment
outlawing alcohol, nobody has sat on a barstool in Pennsylvania
for more than a year now.
The human toll of this historic virus has been immense. Our
hearts break for those who fell ill, those who have been left to
mourn the sudden loss of friends, family, co-workers, and who
have seen their jobs vanish forever through no fault of their own.
Too many go to bed each night worrying if they will lose their
homes, their loved ones, or their livelihoods.

Justin accepts the Presidential gavel from Eden R. Bucher, who is
Immediate Past President this year.

It is in times such as these that we could use the soothing,
subtle wisdom of a Will Rogers. I'm sure if he were still cranking
out columns for the Times, Rogers would certainly have insightful
and uplifting observations about the perseverance and strength of
the American people.
" The best way out of a difficulty is through it. "

I am a proud member of this great Bar Association. Serving as
your president in 2021 is truly humbling.

There is plenty to be proud about. All of our members and Bar
staff have demonstrated exceptional strength in overcoming one
obstacle after another as this pandemic lingers. There are countless
examples of members who have exhibited tremendous grace and
compassion while serving their community and the many, many
people in need.
Our bar building cannot welcome visitors quite yet; however,
Bar staff is in the building everyday to answer your calls and to
make rooms available for arbitrations, depositions, divorce master
conferences and other proceedings that keep the wheels of justice
turning.
Continued on next page

Spring 2021 | 5
http://www.berksbar.org
Berks County Bar Association The Berks Barrister Spring 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Berks County Bar Association The Berks Barrister Spring 2021
