The following Letter to the Editor was sent to the Boston Globe for publication:
Dear Editor:
Thank you to Michael Cohen and the Boston Globe for recognizing the important and good work of public defenders in the July 4, 2015, Boston Globe Opinion, “Thanks to the Unsung Heroes for Keeping Us Safe.” Public counsel staff and private assigned counsel who represent indigents in Massachusetts through the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) are rarely ever thanked or even thought of by most people, so it was truly a surprise and pleasure to have us highlighted in a piece on “Unsung Heroes”. As the CPCS Chief Counsel, every day I witness the hard work of all our staff and members of the private bar, and am well aware of the insufficient praise and pay they receive in return. Thank you to Mr. Cohen for also recognizing us along with such other worthy “Unsung Heroes”. Every group mentioned deserves recognition and gratitude for their important work and selfless efforts on behalf of others. I’m glad someone stepped up and called attention to us and them. Being appreciated is a good thing.
Thank you,
Anthony J. Benedetti
Chief Counsel of the Committee for Public Counsel Services