NORWICH – Friday, before an audience of great judicial and law enforcement experience, a packed Chenango County Courtroom was called into special session by Judge W. Howard Sullivan to commemorate the 51st National Law Day.

During the ceremonies, the Chenango County Bar Association honored Alton B. “Coach” Doyle with the 2009 Liberty Bell Award for his lifetime community service and outstanding citizenship over the last 60 years.

Doyle told the audience that his life’s greatest achievement was recently beating lung cancer after three years of treatment.

“I’d place receiving this Liberty Bell award right up there with it,” he said.

Sullivan and Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Garry presided over the ceremony, held in tribute to the 16th U.S. President and self-taught lawyer, Abraham Lincoln.

Sullivan drew a quote form the former president to describe Doyle’s achievements. “He said ‘Whatever you are, be a good one.’”

“His life has touched many, many people,” Sullivan said of Doyle.