[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 11484-11485]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO THE CHATTANOOGA BAR ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ZACH WAMP

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 7, 2007

  Mr. WAMP. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the works of the 
Chattanooga Bar Association in my hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee, 
and join them in celebrating the CBA's upcoming Law Day Luncheon on May 
9, 2007. Law Day USA is set aside each year on May 1st by a joint 
resolution of Congress and Presidential proclamation as an occasion for 
honoring the place of law in our lives. It is not a national holiday, 
nor is it a ``lawyer's day.'' Instead, Law Day is an occasion for all 
Americans to learn more about our law, our legal system, and our 
rights. It is also a day to reflect on our legal heritage, our 
responsibilities as citizens, and the principles of our democratic 
government. Law Day has been a vital part of American life for several 
generations. Law Day has celebrated our great heritage of liberty, 
justice and equality under law since it was first proclaimed in 1958 by 
President Eisenhower. Law Day gives us the opportunity to reflect on 
how the law protects and guides America's quest for equal justice and 
equal opportunity, just as it permits us to express our opinions, 
select our leaders, worship where we choose, and pursue our livelihood. 
Thanks to the freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution, and protected by 
our laws and courts, we American have the opportunity--unmatched 
anywhere in the world--to develop our capabilities to the fullest.
  This year, on May 9th, the Chattanooga Bar Association will honor the 
legal community of Chattanooga, Tennessee, with their annual Law Day 
Luncheon. The theme of this year's Law Day USA is ``Liberty Under Law: 
Empowering Youth, Assuring Democracy.'' The featured speaker is Bill 
Curry. Mr. Curry is an ESPN analyst, a legendary college/pro football 
coach, and the Executive Director of The Baylor School's Leadership 
Baylor Program. Curry says he has ``been smitten'' with the study of 
leadership since he was a young child. ``I was one of those 
hyperaggressive boys who had too much energy and my teachers had to 
find ways to keep me occupied,'' said Curry. He recalled one teacher in 
particular who propped him in a corner next to a shelf loaded with 
biographies of U.S. historical figures and he proceeded to soak up the 
stories of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Lou Gehrig and many 
others. ``I was absorbed with study of leadership, and I decided I 
wanted to find out what made these people tick. How could Helen Keller 
do what she did? What could I do to be an effective leader myself? 
Leadership has been a passion almost as long as I can remember,'' said 
Curry.
  During the luncheon, the Chattanooga Bar Association will honor Paul 
Neely with the 2007 ``Liberty Bell Award.'' This award, given to a 
person who is not in the legal profession, is one of the Chattanooga 
Bar Association's highest honors. The purpose of the ``Liberty Bell 
Award'' is to recognize community service that has strengthened the 
American system of freedom under law. In selecting the recipient of 
this award, the Chattanooga Bar Association considers activities which 
(1) promote a better understanding of our Constitution and the Bill of 
Rights; (2) encourage a greater respect for the law and the courts; (3) 
stimulate a deeper sense of individual responsibility so that citizens 
recognize their duties as well as their rights; (4) contribute to the 
effective functioning of our institution of governments; and (5) foster 
a better understanding and appreciation of the rule of law. I ask all 
Members of the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating 
Paul Neely for his contributions to the Chattanooga community.
  The winners of the Law Day Essay Contest, which is open to all 
Hamilton County, private, and home school students, grades 9-12 are in 
Division 1--1st place winning a $1,000 college scholarship is Christine 
Marie Leavens of Red Bank High School School. The 2nd place winner is 
Rachael Stewart of Ooltewah High School, and 3rd place winner is 
William Andrew Whitener of Ooltewah High School.
  In Division 2 of the Law Day Essay Contest--1st place winning a 
$1,000 college scholarship is Taylor Dickinson of Girls Preparatory 
School; 2nd place winner is Radhika Patel of Baylor School; and 
receiving 3rd place is John D. Whitehurst of McCallie School.
  The Law Day Poetry Contest is open to all sixth, seventh, and eighth 
graders of the same demographics. Winning 1st place is Margaret M. 
Copler; 2nd place winner is Mary Woodruff Griffin; and 3rd place is 
Parker Mallchok, all of Girls Preparatory School.

[[Page 11485]]

  The Law Day Visual Arts contest is open to fourth and fifth graders 
of the same demographics. Winning 1st place is Dennis Sohn on his 
artwork titled ``Protect Peacefully''; winning 2nd place is Victoria 
Reed Schaaf on her artwork titled ``Step By Step . . . Drinking and 
Driving''; and winning 3rd Place is Lauren Michelle Hood on her artwork 
titled ``Liberty Empowering Future Leaders''. All winners in the art 
division are from St. Peter's Episcopal School.
  Madam Speaker, I ask the United States House of Representatives to 
join me in thanking the Board of Governors of the Chattanooga Bar 
Association for their contributions and commitment to the legal 
profession and to the Chattanooga community. The members of the CBA 
Board of Governers are Lynda Minks Hood, Executive Director; James M. 
Haley, IV, President; Cynthia D. Hall, President-elect; The Honorable 
Barry A. Steelman, Secretary-Treasurer; Joseph R. White, Immediate Past 
President; Barry L. Abbott, David Elliott, Ira M. Long, Jr., John T. 
Rice, The Honorable Jacqueline Schulten, and Christopher T. Varner.

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