Law Day Recognition Luncheon 2016 to be Held in Columbus

Law Day Recognition Luncheon 2016 to be Held in Columbus

Each May, the Nebraska State Bar Foundation and the Nebraska Judicial Branch partner to host a celebratory Law Day Community Luncheon. This year’s celebration will be held on Monday, May 2, 2016, with the Platte County Bar Association in Columbus. Chief Justice Mike Heavican will be a guest speaker at the event, and local Bar Association President Clark Grant will serve as master of ceremonies. The annual Law Day luncheon has two objectives: first, to honor civic-minded students through recognition of their unique projects; and second, to enhance and encourage regional Law Day celebrations. The theme for this year’s Law Day, “The Rule of Law as Portrayed in Art—from Comedy to Tragedy,” provides the perfect opportunity to honor members of the Columbus High School College Access Club who, under leadership from Guidance Counselors Jenna Christensen and Kevin Lewandowski, maintain Columbus’ four Little Free Libraries. In order to give back to the community after receiving a College Access grant from Education Quest, the group developed the Little Library concept as a community service project. In addition to giving back, the libraries also promote literacy among the citizens of Columbus. Also being recognized at the luncheon are returning members of the 2015 Scotus Catholic High School Mock Trial team and their attorney coach Gene Schumacher and teacher coach Kelly Dineen. Announcement of a law school scholarship awarded by the Platte County Bar Association will be made. In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower established Law Day as a day of national dedication to the principles of government under law. In 1961, Congress, by joint resolution, designated May 1 as the official date for celebrating Law Day. Many observe “Law Week” by celebrating any time during the first week of May. The Nebraska State Bar Foundation serves as the Nebraska State Center for Law-Related Education for the Public as designated by Youth for Justice, a division of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice. The Nebraska Judicial Branch has a rich history of community education and public outreach programs, particularly in association with Law Day celebrations. Together, outreach programs are jointly organized with the Nebraska State Bar Foundation under the Public Education Outreach Promoting Law and Equity (PEOPLE) Committee.