Lactation Rooms.

I am writing in response to Melissa Burt DeVriese's letter in the June 15 News regarding the lack of a dedicated lactation area in Orlando's federal courthouse.

While I was saddened to read about Ms. DeVriese's experience during her jury service, I am happy to report that thanks to the Orlando Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and the generous financial contribution and support of the Bench Bar Fund of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, as of March 2017, the federal courthouse in Orlando now has a private lactation space.

The space is located in the attorney lounge on the fourth floor of the courthouse in Room 4-421. The lactation space includes comfortable seating, a privacy wall and curtain, and a small refrigerator to store breast milk. The space is open and accessible to any courthouse visitor--whether attorney, staff, juror, or member of the public--and there is a sign posted in the courthouse atrium providing information to visitors about the space. It is my sincere hope that, with these new accommodations, lactating mothers will feel welcome in Orlando's federal courthouse and will not be forced to endure the frustration and discomfort Ms. DeVriese experienced that day.

Tea Sisic

President-elect of the Federal Bar Association, Orlando Chapter

In the June 15 News, Melissa Burt DeVriese wrote to lament the absence of a station for breast-feeding while serving federal jury duty at the Orlando Federal Courthouse. Ms. DeVriese presumably reported for jury service prior to the installation of lactation facilities here at the George C. Young United States Courthouse. While I very much regret that her experience was disappointing, there is good news to report.

Recognizing the need to provide nursing mothers with a private, clean, and well-equipped area for lactation, the...