Harshbarger Addresses HLS Dems

Outgoing Massachusetts Attorney General and last year's Democratic gubernatorial nominee L. Scott Harshbarger '64 encouraged the Harvard Law School (HLS) Democrats last night to pursue careers in public service.

In a speech reflecting many of the events and themes of his political career, Harshbarger reiterated his belief that public service is a "calling" and an "opportunity."

Harshbarger recalled his earliest days as a volunteer when he discussed working in an East Harlem church on a Rockefeller Public Service Fellowship after graduation nearly 35 years ago. He said he was inspired by the efforts of the residents of the decaying urban community--residents who, according to Harshbarger, "refused to be beaten down."

"I saw the collective will of a community really overcoming the major barriers that existed," Harshbarger said.

At the time, Harshbarger was strongly considering a career in the ministry as a means to help society. Advice from his father, a minister himself, helped to convince him otherwise.

"My father told me that he saw the law as an instrument of social justice. It was the law that was going to define the way we did business in this society," said Harshbarger, who would later become the state's top law enforcement official.

It was during this formative period that Harshbarger said he came to see the law as "a radical tool for reform if used correctly."

While attending HLS, Harshbarger had his belief in public service strengthened during his tenure as president of the Harvard Voluntary Defenders.

After a brief stint working as a lawyer in the private sector upon graduating from law school, Harshbarger became a public defender and went on to serve various roles in the Attorney General's office. In 1982 he was elected District Attorney of Middlesex County. He was elected Attorney General of Massachusetts in 1990.

A public servant must anticipate setbacks as well, he noted.

Harshbarger told the crowd of about 25 that he was disappointed but not emotionally defeated by last year's gubernatorial race.

"Losing is no fun...but I have no regrets whatsoever about my career in public life and politics," he said.

Proud of "being able to do things most people don't do" and inspired by "new challenges [lying] ahead," Harshbarger nevertheless conceded that he is "still mourning."

"It is not that I lost; it is that 48 and one half percent of the people voted for me," he said.

After sharing the story of his life in public service, Harshbarger lamented today's political situation.

"The law is not going to solve a great deal of the problems that we face...[it] has a role to play, but does not address fundamental issues," he said.

He expressed disappointment with gaps in the current health care and welfare systems, voicing his support for a "safety net of universal health care" and his dissatisfaction at what he characterized as a welfare system which has been turned into "a system of denying people assistance."

Harshbarger also offered his perspective on the current presidential crisis, saying the scandal has been counterproductive to Clinton's original goal in office: to restore confidence in government.

"It is feeding people's cynicism," he said. "It would be interesting to know if the president is still in power because of the economy."

Harshbarger extended the theme of cynicism when he told his audience of future HLS graduates that "it is very tempting to go off to Wall Street" after receiving their diplomas.

"[Many people are] cynical about collective action and the law's ability to make a difference" but that "there is no better life to lead and no greater opportunity" than a life in public service, he said.