HCBA Lawyer Magazine No. 34, Issue 6 | Page 13

E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R ’ S M E S S A G E J o h n F . K y n e s –
H i l l s b o r o u g h C o u n t y B a r A s s o c i a t i o n continuedfrompage10
“ It has become an indispensable part of how we deliver justice to these children , and Mary Lee is the reason it exists ,” she added .
Before Mary Lee ’ s House existed , critical investigative , legal , and healthcare service providers for children were spread throughout Hillsborough County .
Now , these vital child service agencies are all housed under one roof , and they can work collaboratively .
In her remarks , Amy said beyond being the founder of Mary Lee ’ s House , Mary Lee can also regularly be seen delivering needed clothes , toys and other items for the numerous abused and neglected children who are served there .
In 1964 , the American Bar Association formally endorsed the Liberty Bell Award for use by Bar associations across the nation to enhance their Law Day celebrations .
And every year since 1964 the HCBA has presented the prestigious Liberty Bell Award , which recognizes a non-lawyer citizen whose outstanding community service has helped strengthen the American justice system .
Past HCBA award winners come from all walks of life and include Gen . Norman Schwarzkopf ; Betty Castor ; Rev . Leon Lowry ; Tony Dungy ; George Steinbrenner ; and Jeff and Penny Vinik .
“ Mary Lee Farrior ’ s unwavering commitment to protecting the most vulnerable children in our community through the services provided at Mary Lee ’ s House make her an excellent choice to be the HCBA ’ s 2024 Liberty Bell Award recipient ,” said HCBA President Alex Caballero .
Each year , the ABA selects a different Law Day theme , and the theme this year is “ Voices of Democracy ,” which encourages Americans to participate in the electoral process .
Established by President Dwight D . Eisenhower in 1958 , Law Day , which officially is on May 1st each year , celebrates the rule of law in a free society .
Eisenhower established Law Day after his experiences in World War II when he realized the perils of a free society where the rule of law is broken down .
The HCBA celebrates the Law Day theme through its Law Week activities each spring , which include classroom discussions , courthouse tours and mock trials .
This year , about 50 HCBA members volunteered , and more than 1,000 local students participated in Law Week activities . And under the outstanding leadership of President Alex Caballero and the HCBA Board members , it has been an exciting and eventful year for sure .
From the 26th Annual Bench Bar Conference this past October ; the annual Judicial Food Festival and 5K Pro Bono River Run this March ; and all the other luncheons and CLEs , there was something for everyone .
And that does not include all the other great events put on by the HCBA ’ s superb Young Lawyers Division , which was ably led by Sean Bevil .
Looking ahead , I ’ m confident incoming HCBA President Anthony “ Nino ” Martino and incoming YLD President Nicole Gehringer will continue the good work that has helped make the HCBA the wonderful organization it is today .
Hoping everyone has a great rest of the summer . n
J U l - A U g 2 0 2 4 | H C B A l A W Y E R
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