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CONTACT PERSON: VALERIE WILLARD
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
(504) 310-2590
| APRIL 23, 2012 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Chief Justice Catherine D. “Kitty” Kimball announced today, in recognition of Law Day — May 1st, the Louisiana Supreme Court issued a resolution urging all Louisiana state court judges to dedicate the month of May 2012 to reaching out to schools to provide students with an opportunity to learn about the law, the role of judges, and the court system from members of the judiciary.
According to Justice John Weimer, who recently spoke to a class of 4th grade students at St. Charles Elementary School in Thibodaux, Louisiana, “Judges are helpful in teaching students about the role of the judiciary in our democracy. Judges can also teach the rights afforded to citizens, the responsibilities that accompany those rights, and the consequences of inappropriate behavior. It is important for judges to educate as well as adjudicate.”
Law Day was established in 1958 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to strengthen our heritage of liberty, justice, and equality under the law. In 1961, Congress issued a joint resolution designating May 1 as the official date for celebrating Law Day. Every president since then has issued a Law Day proclamation on May 1 to celebrate the nation’s commitment to the rule of law.
In honor of this 54th anniversary of Law Day, the Louisiana Supreme Court resolution states, “all judges have a unique ability to educate young people about our legal system and respect for the law,” and stresses the importance of Louisiana judges engaging in law-related education by opening their courtrooms to students or going to classrooms to teach.
Any teacher or principal interested in coordinating a Law Day presentation with a local judge, contact the Louisiana Supreme Court Community Relations Department at 504.310.2590.
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