PRESIDENT'S AWARD
June 2020
(Tom Nelson's Remarks)
Each year, the outgoing President of the MSBA enjoys the privilege of designating someone as the recipient of the annual President's Award. As I mentioned to Vice President Mondale the other day, I have scanned the globe and, as it turns out, the MSBA President's Award is pretty much the only honor he has not yet received. No longer. He is this year's honoree.
Walter Mondale's roots reach back to the village of Mundal, Norway—Mundal, hence Mondale. Mundal is down the fjord from Balestrand toward the glacier. Two beautiful villages. Balestrand, for me, is one of the most peaceful places in the world. It is also where, in a little church, the Norwegian resistance maintained one of its headquarters during the World War II Nazi occupation. It is, in other words, a place of peace as well as courage. No better way to described Walter Mondale.
Along the way, of course, he has served as Vice President of the United States—a term of office simply and eloquently described on the wall of the Carter Presidential Library—"We told the truth; We obeyed the law; We kept the peace." Classic Mondale. Also along the way, he served as Ambassador, U.S. Senator, Minnesota Attorney General (starting his stint as AG 60 years ago last month)—and as Corporal in the U.S. Army. With the help of the GI Bill, he graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1956—serving on the Law Review, and studying with classmates such as Allen Saeks, Judges Henry McLaughlin and Bob Schefelbein, Clint Schroeder, and so many distinguished others. After law school, he clerked on the Minnesota Supreme Court with Justice Thomas Gallagher. Even in the midst of all of his accomplishments, he mentioned to me recently how proud he has always been to be a lawyer—a simple but inspiring comment for us all to hear.
He has, every day, served his clients, our profession, state, nation, and world with dignity, gracefully but persistently demanding that people be treated justly and with decency—from his early and key support as Attorney General for Mr. Gideon in Gideon v. Wainwright (remembered in Anthony Lewis' classic book, Gideon's Trumpet)—to his leadership toward the Fair Housing Act and the Voting Rights Act—to his inspiration regarding the Vietnam war, and his dedication to and civil and human rights—to his "Test of Civilization" speech (a memorable and remarkable moment)—timeless—well worth your time.
Even during these recent and tragic days, he has shown up—reminding us that "the battle for civil rights is a journey, not an end point"—that "each generation is tasked with the hard work of serving in the great fight for justice"—and describing those who have been demonstrating for justice in our streets as our "neighbors."
How classically Mondale. Grateful. Hopeful. Humble with a ready sense of common (or, not-so-common) decency. And, neighbor to us all. Thank you, Vice President Mondale. I'm honored to honor you with this moment. Really, though, it is you who has honored us.