Abilene, Kan. -
The Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum will observe Law Day by hosting a panel of distinguished Kansas lawyers, journalists, and scholars to discuss the ideas of “Free Speech, Free Press, and Free Society.” The public is invited to attend the free program on May 1 at 7 p.m. in the Visitors Center Auditorium, 200 SE 4
th
Street, Abilene.
The discussion is held in partnership with the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate of the 1st Infantry Division & Fort Riley (Kansas).
“We are pleased to host this program. This is what President Eisenhower envisioned when he first designated Law Day on May 1, 1958. According to the original proclamation, it was Ike’s intent ‘for the people of this Nation [to] remember with pride and vigilantly guard the great heritage of liberty, justice, and equality under law which our forefathers bequeathed to us’…” said Eisenhower Presidential Library Director Dawn Hammatt.
The panel members include Stephen R. McAllister, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas, retired Major General Thomas J. Romig, 36th Judge Advocate General of the Army and former Dean of Washburn University School of Law, Franciska Coleman, a law professor at the University of Kansas, Lauren Bonds, the interim executive director and legal director of the Kansas ACLU, and Michael Roehrman, executive editor of the
Wichita Eagle
.
Colonel Jerrett W. Dunlap, Jr., the Staff Judge Advocate of the 1st Infantry Division & Fort Riley will moderate the panel.
President Eisenhower established the first Law Day in 1958 to mark the nation’s commitment to the rule of law. In 1961 Congress issued a joint resolution designating May 1 as the official date for celebrating Law Day, which is now codified in federal law. Every president since then has recognized Law Day with an executive proclamation.
