E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R ’ S M E S S A G E John F . Kynes - Hillsborough County Bar Association
Continued from page 8
Facing threats and intense pressure from local officials and residents who wanted to avoid any negative press about Dozier , Kimmerle in 2012 led a group of researchers who systematically mapped out a cemetery and identified 55 grave sites on the school grounds , though there were only official records for 24 burials .
For her extraordinary work in the investigation to discover the truth about what happened at Dozier , the HCBA named Kimmerle the 2017 Liberty Bell Award winner , which was announced at the annual Law Day Mem - bership Luncheon this past May at the Hilton Downtown .
The Liberty Bell Award has been presented annually by the HCBA since 1964 and is intended to honor a citizen who does not practice law but who has worked tirelessly to preserve and strengthen our system of justice .
“ Dr . Kimmerle is a local treasure ,” said Mark Buell of Buell & Elligett , who introduced her at the luncheon and was part of a group that nominated her for the award .
Buell told the crowd Kimmerle ’ s work “ has promoted greater respect for the law and a deeper sense of individual responsibility ... that citizens recognize the duty of their state to come clean about actual facts from an embarrassing period during our state ’ s history .”
In accepting the award , Kimmerle said she was “ humbled , honored , and grateful .”
Kimmerle said her work in the investigation was “ challenging , heartbreaking , but , at the same time , incredibly rewarding .”
She concluded by quoting the celebrated American lawyer , Clarence Darrow : “ As long as the world shall last , there will be wrongs , and if no man objected and no man rebelled , those wrongs would last forever .”
* * * The Law Day Luncheon also provided an
opportunity to highlight the outstanding work of
the HCBA ’ s Law Week Committee , which was co-chaired by Amy Nath , Maja Lacevic , and Alexandra Palermo .
The national Law Day theme the ABA selected this year was : “ The Fourteenth Amendment : Transforming American Democracy .”
And Dane Heptner , incoming co-chair of the committee , reported that 120 HCBA volunteer lawyers helped lead mock trials , courthouse tours , and classroom discussions this past March .
More than 3,900 local students were involved in Law Week activities this year , including the art contest , Heptner added . ( See photos from the Law Day luncheon on page 36 .)
* * * Meantime , the lunch eon
also marked the unofficial end to the 2016-17 Bar year .
And under the out standing leadership of President Kevin McLaughlin and the HCBA Board , there ’ s no doubt it has been an exciting and eventful year .
From the successful launch of the Read to Dream Initiative involving volunteer
����������������������������������������� lawyers reading in local schools ; all the membership luncheons ; the annual Bench Bar Conference ; the Holiday Open House ; all the HCBA ’ s diversity events ; the HCBA Pig Roast and 5K Pro Bono River Run ; and the Bar Foundation ’ s Law & Liberty Dinner , there was something for everyone .
And that does not even include all the other outstanding CLE programs , as well as all the successful events put on by the HCBA ’ s superb Young Lawyers Division , which was ably led by Web Melton .
Looking ahead , I ’ m confident incoming President Gordon Hill will continue the good work that has helped make the HCBA the wonderful organization it is today as he leads the HCBA in 2017-18 . Here ’ s hoping everyone has a great rest of the summer . See you around the Chet .
Make sure your member profile is up-to-date ! Log onto hillsbar . com .
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