H C B A
P R E S I D E N T ’ S
M E S S A G E
K e v i n M c L a u g h l i n - W a g n e r M c L a u g h l i n , P. A .
Continued from page 4
While the HCBA enthusiastically participated in and
supported the program, the real credit for the success
of the program goes to Mr. Germany’s daughters,
Lindsay Robbins and Jan Gruetzmacher; his son-in-law,
Jim Robbins of Hill Ward Henderson; and his longtime
friend, Leonard Gilbert of Holland & Knight. Working
in partnership with Lorie Tonti of the Tampa-
Hillsborough County Public Library and the
Hillsborough County Public Schools, these individuals
created the program from the ground up and worked
tirelessly to make Mr. Germany’s dream a reality.
The program began at Booker T. Washington, Just
Elementary, and West Tampa Elementary. These
schools were chosen because 99 percent of the students
are living below the poverty level and are struggling with
reading aptitude (compared to students at other
schools). The children selected to participate in the
program were specifically targeted due to the high risk
of falling behind their classmates in reading ability.
By the spring semester, the scope of the program
was doubled when it expanded to include Broward
Elementary, Graham Elementary, and Edison
Elementary. Like their peers at the original schools, the
children at these schools faced the same financial and
educational challenges. The fact that the school system
was so eager to expand the program so quickly speaks
volumes about its efficacy and the immediate, positive
impact the program is having on the children.
I was truly moved by the enthusiastic support from the
members of the HCBA. This program could not have
worked if lawyers were not willing to put their busy lives
and practices on hold for the betterment of others. I
would be remiss if I did not recognize the law firms and
voluntary bar associations that put together reader teams.
In no particular order, they are: Holland & Knight; Hill
Ward Henderson; Trenam Law; Bush Ross; Burr &
Forman; Thompson, Sizemore, Gonzalez & Hearing;
Carlton Fields; Wagner McLaughlin; the Hillsborough
Association for Women Lawyers; the George Edgecomb
Bar Association; the Tampa Hispanic Bar Association;
the YLD of the HCBA; and the HCBA Board of
Directors. Mr. Germany knew that if he could show us
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