Cameron Turner Photo

NORWICH – This past Monday, May 16, at 1:30 p.m. The Chenango County Bar Association invited the community to attend its annual Law Day 2016 celebration at the Chenango County Courthouse.

The Honorable Elizabeth A. Garry, of the Supreme Court Appellate Division; The Honorable Frank B. Revoir Jr., Chenango County Court Judge; and The Honorable W. Howard Sullivan, retired Chenango County Court Judge, hosted the event.

Notably 2016 marks the 50th Anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court case, Miranda v. Arizona. The 2016 Law Day theme – Miranda: More than Words – to which The Honorable Elizabeth A. Garry shared some remarks on, sharing the story of Ernesto Arturo Miranda and his story which led to the 1966 Supreme Court Case.

Don Chirlin was awarded the Liberty Bell Award for 2016, “I don't think you could pick a better person than Don for this award,” said retired Norwich City School District Superintendent Dr. Robert Cleveland.

Chirlin accepted this award and joins the prestigious group of award winners as a longtime member of the Norwich community, a retired educator, former teacher with the Norwich City School District. In addition, Chirlin served as a teacher at the Norwich City School District from 1967 to 1991, an adjunct professor with Syracuse University and SUNY Morrisville. Chirlin was even nominated as Teacher of the Year in 1979 and spent

many years serving on various boards and committees in the community.

Dr. Robert Cleveland, as well as Chirlin's son John Chirlin, of Albany were hand picked by Chirlin himself to speak at the event.

“He practiced what he preached, that is why he is being recognized today,” said John Chirlin. “My father is not someone looking for a fight, but he doesn’t shy away from standing up for what he believes is right.”

President of the Chenango County Bar Association, Lisa Natoli presented Chirlin with the award before he shared some remarks of his own.