LIBERTY BELL AWARD
The Liberty Bell Award recognizes individuals or organizations who promote understanding of our form of government , encourage greater respect for law and the courts , and stimulate a deeper sense of responsibility on the part of citizens regarding their duties as well as their rights .
Former Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem was born in Mohall and graduated from the University of North Dakota ( UND ), receiving his law degree from the UND School of Law in 1977 . Stenehjem was elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives in 1976 , serving two terms until his election to the North Dakota Senate in 1980 . He served on the Judiciary Committee throughout his tenure in the legislature , and was chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee from 1995-2000 . He was elected President Pro Tempore of the Senate for the 1999 Legislative Session . He served 20 years in the Senate until his election to the Office of Attorney General .
In January 2001 , Stenehjem was sworn in as the state ’ s 29th attorney general . He was reelected in 2004 , 2006 , 2010 , 2014 , and 2018 . Stenehjem was the longest-serving attorney general in North Dakota history prior to his death in January 2022 .
Beth Bakke Stenehjem , left , accepts the Liberty Bell Award on behalf of Wayne Stenehjem from Past-President Hon . Doug Bahr .
Stenehjem was the recipient of the “ Champion of the People ’ s Right to Know ” award ; SBAND ’ s Legislative Service Award ; and the 2005 North Dakota Peace Officer ’ s Association ’ s Lone Eagle Award . He was inducted into the Scandinavian American Hall of Fame in 2007 ; named the 2011 Bismarck State College Alumnus of the Year ; and also named to the Bismarck High School Hall of Fame . An Eagle Scout since 1968 , Stenehjem was honored with the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award in 2013 .
Former Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem
Stenehjem went above and beyond to speak to groups about lawyers and the law . He did so to not only provide more information on what lawyers do and how they do it , but also to promote greater understanding of the law and to encourage respect for the law and courts . Stenehjem ’ s award was accepted by his wife , Beth Bakke Stenehjem .
LEGISLATIVE SERVICE AWARD
The Legislative Service Award recognizes the legislative involvement of individuals who have served at the state or federal level for several years , have a commitment to serving their constituents by actively participating in the legislative process , and have balanced the principles of justice and jurisprudence while serving the needs of the public .
Senator Brad Bekkedahl is the recipient of this year ’ s Legislative Service Award . Senator Bekkedahl represents District One and has been in the North Dakota Senate since 2015 . He is currently also serving as the vice president of the Williston City Commission , a position he has held since 1996 .
Senator Bekkedahl was the primary sponsor during the 67th Legislative Assembly on Senate Bill 2233 , the Rural Attorney Recruitment Bill . This bill established a program to recruit attorneys to rural counties and municipalities in North Dakota and to provide tuition reimbursement for participants electing to work and reside in participating counties . He stated the “ Rural Attorney Recruitment Bill ” is one of the most meaningful projects he has been a part of during his time in the legislature , and he hopes to be an ally and advocate for the legal community for years to come .
RETIRING BOARD MEMBERS Carrie Francis , 2015 – 2022 Tonya Duffy , 2017 – 2022 Dean Michael McGinniss , 2019 – 2022 Brady Pelton , 2020-2022
Left to right , Tony Weiler , Michael McGinness , Tonya Duffy , Carrie Francis , and Hon . Doug Bahr . Not pictured : Brady Pelton
12 THE GAVEL