The Indiana Judges Association presented the 2009 Commendations for Excellence in Public Information and Education.  Tim Young of the Newburgh Register and Ken Kosky of The Times of Northwest Indiana were the media award recipients.  Courts in the Classroom accepted the Judicial Award for its “Why Lincoln Was A Lawyer” program which brought judges into the classroom to talk about Lincoln.

The awards are given to highlight outreach projects and responsible reporting on the courts and legal system. Floyd County Judge J. Terrence Cody, President of Indiana Judges Association explained, “These awards give us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the fine work that goes on in newsrooms and courtrooms across Indiana to help our citizens gain a better understanding of the justice system.  This year’s recipients have gone the extra mile in educating both children and adults about the important work done by lawyers and judges.”

Mr. Tim Young was nominated by Judge Keith Meier of Warrick Superior Court for his efforts in reporting on the human side of addiction in his coverage of the Warrick County Drunk Driving and Drug Court Program. 

Mr. Ken Kosky was nominated by Judge David Chidester of Porter Superior Court for his efforts to educate the community about the law.  Mr. Kosky writes an informative weekly article entitled, “It’s the Law…” which informs readers about various laws and criminal offenses.
 
Courts in the Classroom received the judges award for its “Why Lincoln Was a Lawyer” program.  The Indiana Supreme Court’s education outreach program, “Courts in the Classroom” developed the curriculum to celebrate the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln.  The Indiana State Bar Association partnered with the Supreme Court to help recruit 500 volunteer lawyers and judges who presented the program to 35,000 students.  Judges and attorneys taught Indiana school children about Lincoln’s life as a lawyer and showcased the civic virtues exemplified by Lincoln. 

The awards were presented in September at the Indiana Judges Association Annual Meeting.  The Indiana Judges Association was established in 1934.  Its purpose is to cultivate the acquaintance of Indiana judges; to assist each other in mutual problems; to work with representatives of the state agencies for the improvement of Indiana government; to provide a source of judicial membership for committees outside the Association and to exert a coordinated effort toward better and simpler administration of justice and clearer, more uniform procedures in all courts. The IJA is funded by dues from members.