Subject: ABA resolution
   Date: Tue, 11 Mar 1997 10:26:03 -0700
   From: Kathy_Wesenberg@nbs.gov (Kathy Wesenberg)
     To: citation@teo.uscourts.gov

     As the librarian at the National Wildlife Health Center, I have 
the responsibility of finding legal information. There is no way that 
my budget can afford the extremely costly legal databases that are 
currently available. I totally support the proposal that the ABA has 
recommended. There would be financial benefits if competition among 
vendors was encouraged.

     Also, I feel that the current situation gives a bad impression 
about federal judges. I distinctly recall a lecture in library 
school where the professor discussed this situation. The claim by 
West Publishing that they "own" federal court opinions was described 
as a travesty of justice. The argument that West contributed 
intellectual material by inserting page numbers was described as 
absurd. The underlying message was that federal judges had been 
bought. Whether or not this is true, I believe that our governmental 
system is undermined when corruption is hinted. A change to the new 
system would be a strong indication that West Publishing does not 
control the federal courts.

     In addition, the use of the Internet has opened doors to 
America's citizens. The plethora of information dealing with natural 
resources, patents, consumer affairs, etc. has expanded the ordinary 
citizens' horizons. To deny the citizens access to their own law is 
shortsighted. To assume that only lawyers are interested in the law 
is an insult to the intelligence of the public.

                                   Thank you

                                   Katherine Wesenberg