Connecticut Democracy Center Recipient of HCBA 2024 Liberty Bell Award

PHOTO: Left to Right – Nicholas N. Ouellette of Kurien Ouellette LLC, HBCA Board and William A. Bevaqua, President and CEO, The Connecticut Democracy Center

(Hartford, CT) – The Connecticut Democracy Center is pleased to share that it has been named the Hartford County Bar Association (HCBA) 2024 Liberty Bell Award recipient. William Bevacqua, President and CEO of The Connecticut Democracy Center, was on hand to accept the award at the HBCA’s annual Law Day Celebration at Hartford Superior Court last week. The Liberty Bell Award recognizes individuals and organizations’ extraordinary contributions to the American legal system.

“The entire Connecticut Democracy Center organization is grateful to HCBA for the honor,” says Bevacqua. “When we first began operating the Connecticut Network in 1999, no one conceived we would expand our mission and operations to include a history museum, civics programming for schools, several academic competitions, and hosting programs designed to inspire people of all ages to engage in civic life. We’ve discovered increasing opportunities to elevate civic and media literacy and creates spaces for civil dialogue that helps strengthen Connecticut communities. The recognition the Liberty Bell Award represents will inspire us to do more for some time to come.”

The theme for Law Day 2024 was “Voices of Democracy.” The HCBA encourages all Americans to participate in the 2024 elections by deepening their understanding of the electoral process; discussing issues in honest and civil ways; turning out to vote; and finally, helping to move the country forward after free and fair elections. The HCBA began presenting the Liberty Bell Award in 1996 to recognize lawyers, judges, or organizations who promote a better understanding of the rule of law, encourage
greater respect for the law and the courts, stimulate a sense of civic responsibility, or contribute to good government in the community.

This year, Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas served as keynote speaker at the ceremony, which also included the presentation of a scholarship to Aleysha Ortiz of Hartford Public High School and the 2024 Pro Bono Award to Attorney Lisa A. Zaccardelli, Chair of the Labor and Employment Practice at Hinckley Allen.

For more than 230 years, the Hartford County Bar Association has created a connected membership whose shared purpose has been to advance the administration of justice while upholding and improving the professional standards of the legal profession. It has provided a foundation from which its members have shared a common vision and a bond of friendship. Drawing on strength from its long tradition, the Hartford County Bar Association is a vital and united organization joined in dedicated and relevant service to its members and the community.

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The Connecticut Democracy Center (CTDC) provides people with a lifetime pathway to active citizenship and the tools to take civic action in their own communities. Complimented and augmented by independent initiatives including CT-N, Connecticut’s Old State House, Connecticut History Day, We The People: The Citizen and the Constitution, Connecticut Democracy Center Debate Tournament, and Connecticut’s Kid Governor®, The CTDC envisions a society where everyone is empowered to participate in our democracy. Learn more by visiting ctdemocracycenter.org and engaging on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

May 23, 2024

Contact:
Barbara Dell, Marketing Manager
barbara.dell@ctdemocracycenter.org
(860) 246-1553 ext. 116