Well, it's been quite a year! Our "unity and justice for all" theme, chosen at the beginning of the year, could not be more timely. I hope that you will take pride and pleasure in reading about all that is being done in our legal community, and beyond, to bring people together.

Our unity bar is alive and well. Original members, SCBA affiliates Asian Bar Association, La Raza and Wiley Manuel Bar Association, joined, in recent years, by SacL.E.G.A.L. and Women Lawyers of Sacramento held their careers' forum and the highly successful annual dinner. ABAS president, Russell Hom, SacL.E.G.A.L, co-chairs Dianne Robbins and Marc B. Koenigsberg and WLS president, Joan Jernegan share with us some of the current activities of their organizations.

Unity bar mentor and leader Judge Rudolph "Barry" K. Loncke inspired a coalition of community, judicial, educational and arts groups to present the Unity and Justice for All forum at the Samuel C. Pannell Meadowview Community Center. The event created a venue for the judiciary and community to understand the point of view of local youth concerning hate crimes. We also learn about the Capital Unity Council and the Greater Sacramento Area Hate Crimes Task Force who work day in and day out to educate and counsel the perpetrators and the victims of hate crimes. County Law Librarian Shirley David provides us with access to educational materials.

I am happy to report, as shown by the articles involving the Sacramento Law Foundation, the court pro tem judges, VLSP, VIP, Legal Center for the Elderly and Disabled, and the Center for Youth Citizenship Moot Court and Mock Trial competition, that there is plenty of opportunity for member participation in community and pro bono service. It seems particularly important at this time that we fulfil our responsibility to provide pro bono service in return for the privilege of practicing law.

I have one housekeeping matter. The bar council has voted, on the recommendation of the policy committee, to change from nine to six editions a year. We hope it will help maintain the quality of the magazine and protect the sanity of the editors and volunteers. I am sure you have all noticed that Chris Krueger has been playing a major role in the production of the magazine. Starting in January, Chris and I shall share the executive editor's duties. Chris is very talented. I welcome his participation.

As for all of us, the days in the aftermath of September 11 have been for me bittersweet. I am particularly proud that I was sworn in as a United States citizen on September 5. A colleague at work festooned my office with American flags in celebration. They have remained there ever since. In October, I traveled to Great Britain for the first time as an American. Everyone I met expressed sympathy to the American people. The sense of international unity to combat evil was overwhelming. I think that we can be very hopeful for our future.

Thank you to all of the volunteers, particularly the members of the policy committee; also to executive director Carol Prosser and staff member Niesha Fort. I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our designer Denise Yokomizo, without whom there would be no Sacramento Lawyer.

I wish you all a peaceful holiday season.