"Law Day 2009 - A Legacy of Liberty"

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mark Truman
  • Area Defense Council
MacDill AFB, Fla. --  Each year a day is reserved nationwide to commemorate the rule of law and to raise awareness of the legal process and how it has played a significant role to the rights and freedoms that every American shares. Each year a theme is selected to celebrate the rule of law. This year's theme is "A Legacy of Liberty--Celebrating Lincoln's Bicentennial." This theme clearly ties the celebration of the 200th birthday of our 16th President Abraham Lincoln, and arguably the most influential lawyer in the history of the United States, and the magnitude of Law Day. In order to appreciate Law Day 2009, all Americans must understand its origins and the impact President Lincoln left on our society today. 

Law Day had its beginning in 1957, when the American Bar Association President, Charles S. Rhyne, envisioned a day to celebrate our legal system. On Feb. 3, 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower established Law Day as a day of national dedication to the principles of government under Law. President Eisenhower sought to highlight for all Americans that our very freedom as a nation depends upon our continuing commitment to the rule of law. 

To show the significance of Law Day, every president since then has issued an annual Law Day Proclamation. On Apr. 7, 1961, Congress passed a Joint Resolution designating May 1 as Law Day (Previously known as May Day or International Workers' Day) in the United States. The Joint Resolution provides that Law Day, "is a special day of celebration by the people of the United States...in appreciation of their liberties and the reaffirmation of their loyalty to the United States and of their rededication to the
ideals of equality and justice under law in their relations with each other and with other countries;... for the cultivation of the respect for law that is so vital to the democratic way of life...inviting the people of the United States to observe Law Day, U.S.A., with appropriate ceremonies and in other appropriate ways, through public entities and private organizations and in schools and other suitable places." 

Once a year, Law Day (and in some cases, such as MacDill AFB, Law Month) events and programs are planned and executed by bar associations, courts and other organizations to promote awareness and appreciation of the practice of law. 

This year, as Americans celebrate the bicentennial of President Abraham Lincoln's birth, we also honor him by instituting our theme for Law Day 2009, "A Legacy of Liberty--Celebrating Lincoln's Bicentennial." 

President Lincoln was born Feb. 12, 1809, and was assassinated on Apr. 15, 1865. President Lincoln, the first Republican president, is regarded by many Americans as our nation's greatest and most eloquent president.

He became a lawyer in 1836, and devoted a great deal of his adult life to the practice of law. He is also our nation's model lawyer-president. President Lincoln practiced law for nearly 25 years in the Illinois courts. Other than parttime service in the Illinois legislature and the United States Congress, law was his full-time occupation. 

President Lincoln handled cases in almost all court levels: justice of the peace, county, circuit, appellate and federal. He was a general-practice attorney and represented clients in a variety of civil and criminal actions including debt, slander, divorce, dower and partition, mortgage foreclosure and murder. 

Today, polls of historians have ranked President Lincoln as among the greatest presidents in U.S. history, often appearing in the first position. He is usually seen as personifying values of honesty and integrity, as well as respect for individual and minority rights, and human freedom in general. President Lincoln's achievements assured his continuing legacy. His achievements attributed to the preservation of the Union, the justification of democracy and the death of slavery, all accomplished by the ways in which he handled the crisis that most certainly would have ended differently with a lesser man in office. 

According to historians, President Lincoln's greatest achievement was his ability to energize and assemble the nation by appealing to its best standards while acting "with malice towards none" in the search of a more perfect, more just and more enduring Union. 

In closing, it is fitting that the inspiration of Law Day 2009 is essential to continue the legacy of celebrating the practice of law. Since its beginning in 1957, events and programs have challenged every American, including our presidents, to get involved. For more information about MacDill's celebration, contact the Legal office at 828-421/4422. During your remembrance and participation of this year's Law Day and its theme, "A Legacy of Liberty--Celebrating Lincoln's Bicentennial," I challenge you to learn something new about our 16th president. No President in American history ever faced a greater crisis and no President ever accomplished as much.