HYLA (Houston Young Lawyers Association) hosted their Annual Law Day Luncheon on Monday, May 4th at The Four Seasons Hotel. In 1958, President Eisenhower proclaimed Law Day to honor the role of law in the creation of the United States of America. The American Bar Association defines Law Day as “a day upon which we celebrate the rule of law by underscoring how law and the legal process have contributed to the freedoms we Americans share.”
The theme of this year’s event was “Magna Carta: Symbol of Freedom Under Law.” The keynote speaker was Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeff Brown.
Each year HYLA honors an Outstanding Mentor, an Outstanding Young Lawyer and the “Liberty Bell Award” recipient. The “Liberty Bell Award” recognizes one outstanding non-lawyer in Texas who has made a selfless contribution to his or her community to strengthen the effectiveness of the American System of Justice by instilling a better understanding and appreciation of the law.
The Liberty Bell Award recognizes community service that
- Promotes a better understanding of government, especially the Bill of Rights;
- Encourages greater respect for the law and the courts;
- Stimulates a deeper sense of individual responsibility, so that citizens recognize their duties and their rights;
- Contributes to the effective functioning of our institutions of government; and
- Instills better understanding and appreciation of the law.
The Nations Law Firm congratulates this year’s recipient, Houston Police Department Executive Assistant Chief George Buenik. Chief Buenik has served the Houston Police Department for thirty-two years, obtaining the second highest rank. He manages over 1500 police officers and oversees Houston’s Homeland Security Command and Tactical Operations. He co-authored the Houston Regional Amber Alert Plan and in addition, he trains and educates the new cadets and oversees the professional development command in Houston. Chief Buenik is coordinating all police security operations for the Super Bowl 51 that Houston will host in 2017. Particularly important in light of recent events. Chief Buenik serves as the incident comment of all mass gatherings and protests. He embodies the spirit of the Liberty Bell Award and has made countless, selfless contributions to the community to promote a better understanding and respect for the law.
