header-left
File #: 351X-2003    Version: 1
Type: Ceremonial Resolution Status: Passed
File created: 9/24/2003 In control: Tavares
On agenda: 9/29/2003 Final action: 10/1/2003
Title: In Memory of Kenneth C. Curtin.
Sponsors: Charleta B. Tavares
Title

In Memory of Kenneth C. Curtin.


Body


To honor, recognize and celebrate the life of Kenneth "Ken" C. Curtin and to extend our sincerest condolences to his family and friends on the occasion of his death on Monday, September 15, 2003.

Ken was born on August 14, 1943. A native of Kennett Square, PA, Ken earned his undergraduate degree from Villanova University and his law degree from Cornell University. He came to Columbus as a VISTA volunteer, working at the South Side Settlement House. Ken served over 10 years on the South Side board of directors.

For 29 years, Ken was an attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Columbus. For the last three years, he was instrumental in developing Legal Aid services to its clients in the neighborhoods where they lived. Each week, Ken and a small group of Legal Aid lawyers would meet with clients at Southside Settlement House, Central Community House, Clintonville Community Resource Center, Gladden Community House, Godman Guild, Neighborhood House and St. Stephen's Community House. Ken viewed this program as a small step toward the type of social and economic change needed to ensure all members of the community equal access to justice and legal services.

It was part of his tireless commitment to represent "those who are in most need and least able to reach out for help." Ken was a Medicaid specialist with a statewide reputation. Over the years, he handled important litigation protecting the rights of people receiving Medicaid. He successfully litigated a number of significant Medicaid cases in federal court.

More recently, his dedication to helping those in need resulted in a successful outcome for an immigrant client in desperate need of a kidney transplant. With the assistance of a U.S. Congressman, the Franklin County Commissioners, and a host of concerned citizens, Ken advocated to expedite the visa application process for his client's brother from Ghana, who was identified as a kidney ma...

Click here for full text