HARRISBURG (Sept. 28, 2006) � Franklin County attorney Thomas B. Steiger Jr. has received an Everyday Leader Award from the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA).

�Tom�s Franklin County roots go deep, and he has been steadfast in his commitment to serve his community and the legal profession,� said PBA President Kenneth J. Horoho Jr., who presented the award to Steiger. �When Tom sees a need, he steps forward and invests his considerable skills to be part of the solution.�

In the mid-1970s, Steiger was instrumental in developing the Historical Architectural Review Board in Mercersburg. The board worked to preserve the historic character of the town, which now is a key point of tourism promotion.

Steiger has devoted countless hours to the Mercersburg Area Youth Organization, which provides a place for children to socialize and find support in times of need.

He has been involved throughout his career in providing civil legal aid to low-income residents in Franklin County. He serves on the board of Franklin County Legal Services, a non-profit agency created by local attorneys in 2002 that offers legal representation, advice, and education to low-income individuals and families in Franklin and Fulton counties.

Steiger has served on the board of Fendrick Library and is a long-time Sunday school instructor at the St. John�s Evangelical Lutheran Church, both in Mercersburg.

For more than 30 years, Steiger has been a partner in the Mercersburg firm of Steiger, Steiger and Meyers. He is graduate of Mercersburg Academy, Princeton University and University of Pennsylvania School of Law.

Since 1973, Steiger has been a member of the Franklin County Bar Association and was the organization�s 2004 president.

�The Everyday Leader Award is given to individuals who go above and beyond, sharing their time and talent to help and support others,� said Horoho. �These unsung heroes work hard each and every day performing good works, not for personal gain or recognition, but for the right reasons�to improve the places they call home and to better Pennsylvania�s legal system. Tom Steiger Jr. is one of these �everyday leaders� and is deserving of this award in gratitude for his contributions to Franklin County.�

Founded in 1895, the Pennsylvania Bar Association exists to promote justice, professional excellence and respect of the law; improve public understanding of the legal system; facilitate access to legal services; and serve the 29,000 lawyers who are members of the association.