ADF honors AG Lynn Fitch, Michael Farris with 2023 Edwin Meese III Awards
The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom CEO, President, and General Counsel Kristen Waggoner regarding ADF’s annual Edwin Meese III Originalism & Religious Liberty Award ceremony Thursday. This year’s award recipients are Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch and Michael Farris, former CEO of ADF:
“The Meese Award is the highest award ADF bestows. Attorney General Edwin Meese worked tirelessly to ensure constitutional fidelity through originalism, correctly viewing it as ‘critical to the protection of religious liberty.’ General Meese’s commitment to originalism transformed the law and changed constitutional discourse for generations. This award is presented to leaders who display unwavering courage and commitment to the U.S. Constitution and the protection of our cherished freedoms. This year, I’m honored to present the Meese Award to two outstanding leaders: Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch and Michael Farris.
“General Fitch’s tireless efforts and courage to defend her state’s pro-life law led to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and save countless lives. ADF recognizes General Fitch for her significant efforts in publicly promoting and defending our most cherished freedoms and a principled jurisprudence through the active advancement of constitutional originalism. She embodies the enduring commitment to justice that is the hallmark of the American spirit.
“Mike Farris’ lifelong work of safeguarding our freedoms will protect generations to come. He’s not only an accomplished litigator and writer, but also founder of the Home School Legal Defense Association, Patrick Henry College, and most recently, served as the president and CEO of ADF, where he oversaw a period of remarkable, God-given growth and impact. Mike has always run toward the fight and had the courage of his convictions to do the right, hard things.”
The award is named in honor of former U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese III, who was the first recipient in 2009. “I am honored to have my name associated with this award, which has been distinguished by the outstanding individuals who have received the award over the past years. That tradition continues today with our two recipients: Lynn Fitch, attorney general of Mississippi, and Mike Farris, who has served as president and CEO of ADF,” Meese said.
Past award recipients include U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, Judge Robert Bork, Archbishop Charles Chaput, Dr. Albert Mohler, Ambassador Sam Brownback, Chuck Colson, Prof. Robert P. George, and ADF Founder Alan Sears.
Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and the sanctity of life.
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ABOUT Kristen Waggoner
Kristen Waggoner is the CEO, president, and general counsel of Alliance Defending Freedom: the world’s largest legal organization advancing every person’s God-given right to live and speak the truth. With more than 450 team members in 10 offices worldwide, ADF is at the forefront of today’s most consequential battles in law, public policy, and culture. Under Waggoner’s leadership—first as head of U.S. litigation and now as CEO—ADF has played a role in 80 U.S. Supreme Court victories and won 15 of its own cases before the court, including serving as legal counsel with Mississippi in the landmark Dobbs ruling overturning Roe v. Wade. Waggoner personally argued several of ADF’s Supreme Court cases including the well-known Masterpiece Cakeshop and 303 Creative cases, winning major victories for free expression. She has the honor of leading ADF International, which, like its U.S. counterpart, defends religious liberty, free speech, parental rights, human life, and biological reality around the world. After law school, Waggoner clerked at the Washington Supreme Court and spent over 15 years at a Seattle law firm before joining ADF.