DEARBORN – On Monday, May 6, the judges of Dearborn’s 19th District Court joined local students to celebrate Law Day.

Law Day is a national day set aside to celebrate the rule of law and provide an opportunity to understand how law and the legal process protect liberty, strive to achieve justice and contribute to the freedom that all Americans share.

Law Day was established in 1958 by President Eisenhower 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.

The 19th District Court is proud to join bar associations, courts, schools and civic groups across the country in commemorating the event each year.

This year’s Law Day theme was “Free Speech, Free Press, Free Society”, which focuses on these cornerstones of representative government and calls on us to provide understanding and protect the U.S. Constitution proposes, “the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity.”

This year Chief Judge Gene Hunt, Judge Sam Salamey and Judge Mark W. Somers hosted two Law Day activities.

During the day the judges welcomed a visit by local high school students. Students observed court proceedings and were provided an opportunity to ask questions and meet with judges, prosecutors, court administration and staff.

In addition to the visit by the students, the annual essay contest was held. Judges Hunt, Salamey and Somers, along with  Rotary Club of Dearborn Incoming President Eric Rader, a longtime Law Day sponsor, presented awards honoring the winners of the 2019 Law Day essay contest.

This year’s Law Day theme provided an opportunity to explore how the First Amendment does not restrict government speech, but the doctrine’s simplicity can be deceiving, especially in the context of some of today’s controversial issues.

Students were invited to submit an essay explaining if the government speech doctrine is a good idea and if they want a government that can say whatever it wants or if there should be any restraints on government speech.

The contest drew hundreds of entries from fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth graders at Dearborn’s public and private schools. Several winning essays were selected: A first place, second place, third place winner and an honorable mention in each grade level.

Through the generosity of the Dearborn Rotary, each winner received a certificate and a Barnes and Noble gift card. First place winner received a $100 gift card, second place winner received a $75 gift card, third place winner received a $50 gift card and recipients of honorable mentions each received a $25 gift card.

The awards ceremony was held at the 19th District Court. Hunt thanked the Rotary Club of Dearborn, including Rader, for its sponsorship of the event and gave special recognition to the parents and teachers. Following the awards ceremony, photos were taken of students and family members with teachers and all dignitaries present. Park Place Catering provided refreshments.

The winners of the 2019 Law Day essay contests are:

Fifth grade— 1st Place: Jibreel Jadallah (Oakman Elementary), 2nd Place: Ahmad Khuja (Howard Elementary), 3rd Place: Alia Chami (Geer Park Elementary), Honorable Mention: Niveen Elkhatib (William Ford Elementary)

Sixth grade— 1st Place: Khaled Abdullah (Salina Intermediate), 2nd Place: Stefano Ciavaglia (Bryant Middle School), 3rd Place: Galeana Mireles (Bryant Middle School), Honorable Mention: Reema Alata (Unis Middle School)

Seventh grade— 1st Place: Lara Elhajj (Bryant Middle School), 2nd Place: Khloud Abdullah (Salina Intermediate), 3rd Place: Linnea Anderson (Stem Middle School), Honorable Mention: Amany Sayed (Bryant Middle School)

Eighth grade— 1st Place: Mahassen Elboraii (Bryant Middle School), 2nd Place: Hannan Farhat (Bryant Middle School), 3rd Place: Hadi Harb (Bryant Middle School), Honorable Mention: Youseph Jadallah (Unis Middle School)