Perspective: Celebrating Nebraska’s Legal Landscape – 1867-2017
This year, the Nebraska State Bar Foundation, together with the Nebraska Supreme Court, is an official program sponsor of the Nebraska Sesquicentennial Commission. In conjunction with this recognition, we have adopted as a 2017 law-related education theme, “Celebrating Nebraska’s Legal Landscape – 1867-2017.”
In early 1867, the Nebraska Territorial Legislature passed a resolution in support of the 14th Amendment and promised to ratify the amendment as a condition of achieving statehood. Following admission to the Union in 1867, the Nebraska Legislature did ratify the amendment, and the next day, it adopted the state seal and motto, “Equality Before the Law.” It may be said that Nebraska’s legal land scape began when these two actions were accomplished.
On May 1, the Nebraska State Bar Foundation and the Nebraska Supreme Court will celebrate Law Day with the Dawson County Bar Association in Lexington. There, we will observe a reenactment of a portion of the Standing Bear trial as presented by Lexington High School (LHS) students. We will also recognize the high school mock trial team and honor the stu¬dents of the alternate education pro¬gram and their community outreach projects. Chief Justice Michael G. Heavican will present an update on the Nebraska Court System.
Also on May 1 and on other dates during that week, fifth grad¬ers in ten communities around the state will participate in Law Day job shadowing. As a part of this activity, they will visit a courthouse to learn about the three branches of government and participate in other activities such as a mock trial. Their experiences may culminate with a visit to the jail, meeting a “drug” dog, and perhaps getting to check out some really amazing patrol vehicles. The purpose of the program is to encourage students to work hard and stay in school.
Nebraska and its very statehood have a strong connection to the 14th Amendment. Quoting then-Governor David Butler, the amendment, by extending citizenship to all native born or naturalized persons and prohibiting the denial of the equal protection of the laws to any such person, “accepts fully and forever vindicates by the solemn pledge of a nation, the idea that was the cornerstone of American Independence.”
This signed article was written at The Daily Record’s invitation to underscore the theme of Law Day 2017.
User login
Omaha Daily Record
The Daily Record
222 South 72nd Street, Suite 302
Omaha, Nebraska
68114
United States
Tele (402) 345-1303
Fax (402) 345-2351