The Abraham Lincoln Association (ALA) awarded Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Rita B. Garman with its first-ever “Spirit of Lincoln Award”. The award was established to recognize individuals who have displayed the spirit of Abraham Lincoln in their professional careers for the betterment of humanity. The award was presented by Robert A. Stuart, Jr., President of the ALA, at the Sangamon County Bar Association Law Day luncheon. The award itself is a bust of Abraham Lincoln by Illinois sculptor John McClarey specifically created for this award.

President Stuart stated that in President Lincoln’s legal career he represented integrity, professional ability, reverence for the law, fair mindedness, professional neutrality, goodwill and collegiality. The ALA believes that Judge Garman has upheld these principles as the longest-serving female judge and the second-longest serving judge in Illinois. She also has received a lifetime achievement award from the Illinois Judges Association and she was named Person of the Year by Chicago Lawyer magazine in 2013.

President Lincoln and his administration were the force behind many laws that Americans still feel the effects of today. The fact that he worked to improve the lives of Americans through legislation while serving as commander-in-chief during the Civil War inspired a committee of the ALA board members to create this annual award.

“His administration gave us several gifts which we still enjoy today,” Dr. Wayne Temple, Distinguished Director of the ALA and Chief Deputy Director of the Illinois State Archives, said. “The Morrill Act gave federal lands to the States so that they might create land -grant colleges or universities one in each state. The National Bank Act improved banking. The Pacific Highway Act brought about the transcontinental railroad. The Homestead Act opened up the great West for settlement to those without large financial means.”

For more information about the Abraham Lincoln Association, please visit our website at http://www.abrahamlincolnassociation.org.