Travis County Commissioners Court
May 2, 2006
Item 4
4. Approve proclamation naming may 3, 2006 as "law day" in Travis County.
>> anybody here to receive this.
>> steve bennett, president elect of the Austin bar association.
>> should I read it for you.
>> can I make a statement in connection with the proclamation or would you refer to -- would you prefer to read it first.
>> whereas law day is a celebration of our great heritage of liberty, justice, equality under law, the doctrine of separation of power among the three branches of government, executive, legislative, judicial, whereas an effort to balance any accumulation of power, our neighbor's founders constituted a system of checks and balances and ensures that it serves as a con strant on, constrained by the powers of the other branches. Whereas our system of separation of powers and checks and balances stands as a model for other nations of the world, now therefore be it resolved that the Travis County Commissioners court does hereby proclaim Wednesday, may 3rd, 2006, as law day, whereas the citizens, schools, businesses, media of Travis County to use this occasion to preserve and strengthen the rule of law and I move approval.
>> second.
>> good morning.
>> good morning. As I mentioned, steve benisch, president elect of the local bar association, on behalf of the local bar I say thank you judge, Commissioners, your honors for the time this morning, also thank you for your service to the people of Travis County. We are indeed trivialed and blessed to have -- privileged and blessed to have such a dedicated Commissioners court. Thank you. Law day is the national day has that been set aside to celebrate the rule of law. It underscores how law and the legal process have truanted to the freedoms that we all as americans share. Law day actually began back in 1958 when president dwight eisenhower first established law day to strengthen our heritage of liberty, justice and equality under law. And in 1961, early may was designated as the time for official celebration of law day by joint resolution of congress. Law day programs are designed to help people understand how law keeps us free and how our legal system strives to achieve justice. This year's theme for law day is liberty under law, separate branches, balanced powers. Balanced powers are important so that all americans understand that the founders intended and accomplished -- accomplished a separation of powers in government. Separation of powers of course is the idea that a government functions best when its powers are not concentrated in a single authority, but are instead divided among different branches, the u.s. Constitution or excuse me the united states was the very first nation to formalize separation of powers mopping the branches in a -- among the branches in a written constitution. The u.s. Supreme court justice stated that the doctrine of the separation of powers was adopted by the convention of 1787 ... So this theme unables us to show how the branches represent separate powers but together form a dynamic system of government that works together for the common good. Once again I want to thank the Commissioners for this proclamation and rehabilitation of law day and thank you again for your selfless service to the people of Travis County and beyond.
>> thank you.
>> thanks, steve.
>> can we get a motion on that? All in favor? That passes by unanimous vote. We have a beautiful proclamation for you that you have to take with you.
>> all right.
>> thank you, judge, thank you very much.
>> thank you.
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Last Modified:
Wednesday, May 3, 2006 11:17 AM