La Porte County Liberty Bell Award honors local advocate; presenter details CASA and Harmony House services
May 04, 2026 | LaPorte County, Indiana
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The La Porte County Bar Association presented its 2026 Liberty Bell Award to Jackie (first name used in remarks) at a Law Day event on May 1.
Bar Association president Barb Stukesbury described the award as a longstanding recognition given to a nonlawyer citizen who promotes understanding of the law, respect for the courts and civic responsibility. "We give it to a resident of LaPorte County who has promoted a better understanding of the rule law," Stukesbury said as she announced the recipient.
Senior Judge Nancy Goettinger, who presented the award, reviewed the local Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) movement and Harmony House services in La Porte County. She summarized the program history (national CASA started in 1977; La Porte County began training volunteers in 1990) and highlighted services including supervised visitation and court advocacy for abused and neglected children. Goettinger said local CASA volunteers have provided substantial service hours; in the program summary she cited totals described during the presentation.
The recipient, Jackie, spoke of family ties to the courthouse and described her motivation for serving families; she also mentioned a proposed new program idea related to jail-based classes and family engagement.
Why it matters: CASA and Harmony House provide court-connected advocacy and supervised family visitation aimed at supporting children in abuse and neglect cases. The award recognizes community contributions that strengthen the local justice system's ability to serve children and families.
The program included in-memoriam remarks for two departed attorneys and closed with thanks to hosts and volunteers; Judge Austin provided brief closing comments and adjourned the event.
Bar Association president Barb Stukesbury described the award as a longstanding recognition given to a nonlawyer citizen who promotes understanding of the law, respect for the courts and civic responsibility. "We give it to a resident of LaPorte County who has promoted a better understanding of the rule law," Stukesbury said as she announced the recipient.
Senior Judge Nancy Goettinger, who presented the award, reviewed the local Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) movement and Harmony House services in La Porte County. She summarized the program history (national CASA started in 1977; La Porte County began training volunteers in 1990) and highlighted services including supervised visitation and court advocacy for abused and neglected children. Goettinger said local CASA volunteers have provided substantial service hours; in the program summary she cited totals described during the presentation.
The recipient, Jackie, spoke of family ties to the courthouse and described her motivation for serving families; she also mentioned a proposed new program idea related to jail-based classes and family engagement.
Why it matters: CASA and Harmony House provide court-connected advocacy and supervised family visitation aimed at supporting children in abuse and neglect cases. The award recognizes community contributions that strengthen the local justice system's ability to serve children and families.
The program included in-memoriam remarks for two departed attorneys and closed with thanks to hosts and volunteers; Judge Austin provided brief closing comments and adjourned the event.
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