The State Bar Association of North Dakota Summer 2013 Gavel Magazine | Page 14

ANNUAL MEETING AWARDS

HOLMBERG RECEIVES LEGISLATIVE SERVICE AWARD
The criteria for the Legislative Service Award is: • Years of legislative involvement serving at the state or federal level • Commitment to serving their constituents by actively participating in the legislative process • Balancing the principles of justice and jurisprudence while serving the needs of the public This year’s award was presented to Senator Ray Holmberg of Grand Forks, who has been a member of the North Dakota State Legislature since 1977. He served eight sessions on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and is currently chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He was recognized for his support of the legislature’s appropriation during this session for the renovation and addition to the University of North Dakota School of Law.

Dean of UND Law School Kathryn Rand presents Senator Holmberg with Legislative Service Award.

“I have always tried to surround myself with people brighter and more intelligent than myself, and I appreciate the support of North Dakota’s lawyers during my years in the State Senate,” said Holmberg. “I look forward to joining with you next May for the groundbreaking of the Law School project.”

LIBERTY BELL AWARD PRESENTED TO SHARON ESPELAND
The Liberty Bell Award is given to an individual in recognition for community service which strengthens the effectiveness to the American system of freedom under law. The criteria for the Liberty Bell Award is: • To promote understanding for our form of government • Encourage greater respect for law and the courts • Stimulate a deeper sense of responsibility on the part of citizens regarding their duties as well as their rights This year’s award recognized the work of Bismarck’s Century High School teacher Sharon Espeland, who has taught government classes and coordinated the school’s We the People High School Constitutional program. Competing with other high school teams, Century High students have taken state honors every year since 2007.
SBAND Past-President Gail Hagerty presents Sharon Espeland with Liberty During her years with the program, Espeland spoke of the Bell Award. satisfaction of helping students have a better understanding of the Constitution. “Through this program the classroom connects with the community. My students have gone into law, teaching social work and working on Capitol Hill. They have become enlightened citizens.”

SBAND and several state lawyers are supporters of the North Dakota’s We The People program. Past winners of the Liberty Bell Award have included Governor Arthur Link, Harold Schafer, Lieutenant Governor Lloyd Omdahl, University of Mary President Sister Thomas Welder, North Dakota State University Professor Curtis Amlund, God’s Child Project Director Patrick Atkinson, Grand Forks Herald columnist Marilyn Hagerty, and Fargo businessman Bernie Dardis.

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The Gavel Summer 2013