NORWICH – The Chenango County Bar Association invites the community to celebrate America’s 53rd National Law Day at the Chenango County Courthouse at 9 a.m. Friday. The featured program this year will be the presentation of the 2010 Liberty Bell Award to Leland G. “Gary” Brookins.

Other honorees will include the Afton Central Schools mock trial team, winners of this year’s Chenango County Mock Trial tournament. The 2010 recipients of the annual Chenango County Bar Association scholarships will also be named.

Law Day was established by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1958 as “a day of national dedication to the principle of government under law.” Commemorated annually since that date, Law Day programs are conducted throughout the country by bar associations, courts, schools, and civic groups.

The Liberty Bell Award recognizes distinguished contributions to our community by non-lawyers who have fostered public understanding of the importance of law in our community. This year the Bar Association recognizes Brookins, a native son, for his many contributions.