Judge Bruni presented the Liberty Bell Award
By JULIE DAFFERN
May 13, 2005
In celebration of America’s constitutional right to a jury trial, Judge Jesus “Chuy” Garza and attorney Stanley Freed were honored by the Laredo Webb County Bar Association as chairmen of the annual Law Day luncheon Thursday. Garza, who graduated from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law in 1984, took office as the first County Court-at-Law 2 Judge in 1992. District Judge Manuel “Meme” Flores credited Garza with helping to create the Webb County pretrial services and working toward the future establishment of the Youth Village Detention Center. “He is one of those rare people who sees a problem and goes out and tries new avenues to try and solve that problem,” Flores said. Garza spoke of the importance of a trial by jury. “Juries protect society from dangerous individuals and individuals from capricious government behavior,” he told a group of about 125 attendees. “Jurors have a duty and responsibility to render a just verdict. Our founding fathers knew that using common sense and the judicial instruction would almost always result in the right decision.” Freed, who graduated from University of Texas School of Law in 1957, is a transactional attorney and a part of Wilson, Treviño, Freed, Valls and Treviño. U.S. District Judge George P. Kazen told attendees about Freed’s work with the Laredo Junior Chamber of Commerce, eventually becoming president. He credited Freed with bringing back the tradition of the Laredo mayor presenting the keys to the city to Princess Pocahontas. The tradition had been discontinued before then. "Stanley has always been solid as granite, steady as a rock,” Kazen said. “Stanley Freed has been a beacon of honesty, integrity and reliability.” Freed reminded his colleagues that although practicing law is noble way to put food on the table and earn a living, they should not forget the people. “The big check is important, but touching someone’s life – having them tell you they will never forget you – that is also important,” Freed said. “It makes it all worthwhile.” The association also honored County Judge Louis Bruni as recipient of the Liberty Bell Award. Bruni had already established two companies that specialized in oil field construction before taking office in 2002. County Attorney Homero Ramirez praised Bruni in his efforts to lead the county in its effort to build a fifth international bridge and the establishment of the Webb County Rail District. “Judge Bruni has brought tension and color and a certain amount of intensity and passion to Commissioners Court,” Ramirez said. Bruni said although he has received other awards, this one stands out because it comes from the legal community. “Never did I think that I would get an award of this magnitude. For a public servant in Webb County, it just doesn’t get any better,” Bruni said. “I will continue to be a public servant and not a politician.” (Julie Daffern can be reached at 728-2538 or jdaffern@lmtonline.com.)
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