HARRISBURG (May 3, 2010) - The Pennsylvania Bar Association Young Lawyers Division will present its 2010 Liberty Bell Award to Daniel T. Perkins of Johnstown during the state association's Annual Meeting on May 13 in Hershey.

The Liberty Bell Award is given to an individual for his or her outstanding community service and for promoting the "blessing of liberty" guaranteed by the Constitution. Criteria for the award include: promoting a better understanding of our government and the Bill of Rights; encouraging greater respect for the law and the courts; creating a better awareness of individual responsibility so that citizen recognize their duties as well as their rights; contributing to the effective functioning of our government; and encouraging a better understanding and appreciation of the Rule of Law.

Perkins is the founder and board chair of The Challenge Program, a non-profit organization building bridges between high school students and the business community. Established in 2003, the organization started as a pilot program in just one school. More than 100 schools are currently involved. The Challenge Program provides cash incentives to students for achievement in community service, academic excellence, academic improvement and attendance.

Many of the schools working with The Challenge Program are implementing the Project Citizen curriculum in which educators engage students in civic service projects. Project Citizen is one of First Lady Judge Marjorie O. Rendell's Keystone Civics Programs, which are directed by the Pennsylvania Coalition for Representative Democracy (PennCORD).

"The Challenge Program has had a measurable effect on students by renewing their focus on achieving higher grades and improving attendance as well as increasing community service," said Timothy S. Burns, 2009-2010 chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Young Lawyers Division. "Under Dan Perkins' thoughtful direction, The Challenge Program has brought together a broad consortium of schools to develop ways to incorporate civic service and social action into education."

Perkins has more than 30 years of professional experience in commercial and government industries. He is the owner and chairman/chief executive officer of MTS Technologies Inc., which provides professional services to the Department of Defense, other federal agencies and commercial enterprises. Its core areas of business include decision support, global logistics, human performance, information security and medical technologies. Since its start in 1991, Perkins has successfully transitioned MTS from a small minority-owned business to a growing, technology-focused industry leader. MTS ranked on the Black Enterprise Magazine's BE Top 100s list in 2004, 2005, and 2007. MTS has received many accolades, awards, and recognition from top government officials and other leaders.

Perkins is a 1974 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and holds a master's degree from Pepperdine University.

Founded in 1895, the Pennsylvania Bar Association strives to promote justice, professional excellence and respect for the law; improve public understanding of the legal system; facilitate access to legal services; and serve the 29,000 lawyers who are members of the association.