Champions of freedom receive ADF Meese Award

WASHINGTON — Alliance Defending Freedom has awarded the annual Edwin Meese III Award for Originalism and Religious Liberty to the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Senior Judge James Buckley, and professor of law Helen Alvaré. ADF President, CEO, and General Counsel Alan Sears presented the award Friday to Alvaré, Buckley, and the family of Scalia at a Washington D.C.-area ceremony co-sponsored by the Council for National Policy.

ADF presents the award to individuals that have made “significant efforts in publicly promoting and defending religious liberty and a principled jurisprudence through the active advancement of constitutional originalism.”

“ADF considers it a privilege to recognize Justice Scalia, Judge Buckley, and Professor Alvaré for their moral leadership in shaping the increasingly high-profile debate over religious freedom and freedom of conscience,” said Sears.

“Justice Scalia has been described as the intellectual anchor for the originalist position at the Supreme Court for a quarter of a century. His legacy is truly remarkable and enduring—one that will be cherished as long as Americans celebrate their most precious freedoms and exercise their liberty,” Sears continued. “The integrity and accomplishments of James Buckley are also an example future generations can look to for inspiration, information, and illumination on what it means to devote one’s life to the service—and betterment—of one’s country. And Helen Alvaré is already one of the most important public intellectuals in our nation today, in terms of her thoughtful exposition, insights, and defense of religious freedom and rights of conscience. We commend the past and ongoing efforts of these honorable Americans.”

ADF established the award in 2009 in honor of Edwin Meese III, the award’s first recipient and the nation’s 75th attorney general serving President Ronald Reagan. Meese was present and spoke at the ceremony Friday. In 2015, the award went to Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., and Cardinal Francis George.

“As Ed Meese has said, ‘Constitutional fidelity, through originalism, is critical to the protection of religious liberty,’” added Sears. “This year’s recipients have understood this and dedicated their lives to defending this principle. It is a privilege to honor their lifetime of service with this award.”

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization that advocates for the right of people to freely live out their faith.