HARRISBURG (June 4, 2007) - The Pennsylvania Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (PBA YLD) will present its prestigious Liberty Bell Award to Donald Imler, a social studies teacher at Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School, during the PBA's Annual Meeting on June 20 in Philadelphia.

"Don goes above and beyond expectations to teach his students about the Constitution and to provide them with a better understanding and appreciation of government and the court system," said Traci L. Naugle, president, Blair County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, who nominated Imler for the award. "His work inside and outside the classroom encourages active participation in our democracy."

Imler coaches the school's mock trial team, which participates in competitions that are coordinated statewide by the PBA YLD. Team members gain insights about the courts and the law by acting as lawyers and witnesses in simulated civil trials before actual judges and panels of juries. Imler also is a member of the PBA's Law-Related Education Committee, which oversees the state association's youth education programs. He works with the Blair County Bar Association and county political leaders to plan the PBA-supported Law Day and "I Signed the Constitution" programs, which are held for area students at the county courthouse.

Curriculum developed by Imler to explain the workings of a democracy and to promote student participation in government that was chosen by the Pennsylvania Coalition for Representative Democracy (PennCORD) as a model civics program to be implemented across the state.

Imler is currently the recording secretary of the Pennsylvania Council for the Social Studies, an organization that promotes the study of government and political systems at all academic levels.

The PBA YLD presents the Liberty Bell Award 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.

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.