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Dear Friend,
Two weeks ago the Supreme Court handed our clients, Toni Simms-Busch and Sharonell Fulton a unanimous victory. Their personal story was published by the Wall Street Journal. Their groundbreaking win that took the country by surprise built on the wisdom and courage of many First Amendment heroes who came before them.
On May 27, 2021, Becket honored one of those heroes in the fight for religious liberty: Senator Orrin G. Hatch. In representing the State of Utah for more than 40 years, Senator Hatch’s accomplishments are diverse and numerous. One stands out, however: RFRA, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, a bipartisan bill championed and co-authored by Senator Hatch. Since it passed in 1993, RFRA has protected religious freedom for people of many faiths, especially minority faiths. RFRA features in many, many Becket cases, and Senator Hatch has been one of religious freedom’s most vocal and influential advocates in his long and celebrated Senate career. We were honored to celebrate Senator Hatch by awarding him Becket’s highest honor, the Canterbury Medal.
Religious freedom is not a given. We need heroes to stand up and fight for it. Senator Hatch is a perfect example of someone who has devoted his life to public service, especially for religious freedom for all. But each of us has a part to play in safeguarding our freedoms. Becket exists for the sole purpose of defending religious liberty, but we can’t do it alone. That’s why Becket also annually awards the Legal Service Award to an attorney who has done invaluable work for religious liberty. This year’s recipient was Deano Ware, the first lawyer on the landmark case Hosanna-Tabor (2012). Deano courageously stood up to defend his church’s right to choose its own ministers—little knowing that the fight would lead him and his church to partner with Becket at the U.S. Supreme Court. Even when the going got tough, Deano refused to back down, instead standing firm for what he knew was right.
I consider it a daily privilege to do my part in protecting religious freedom. I take my inspiration and motivation from the heroes around me, like Sharonell, Toni, Deano, Senator Hatch and the entire Becket team. We are not in this fight alone, and that gives me courage and hope—courage to keep going, and hope that we can and will win.
Highlights from the Canterbury Medal Gala
“Whether you follow Buddha or the Bible, you are here because you believe that protecting this freedom is essential to our country and to our country’s future.” Watch Senator Hatch’s acceptance speech here.
“Orrin Hatch may well be the greatest United States senator in modern times.” See this moving tribute to Senator Hatch’s extraordinary achievements for religious liberty.
Senator Hatch: the “John Wayne” hero of religious liberty. Becket Chairman & CEO William Mumma gave the keynote address at CMG: watch it here.
“I knew that God was going to help me.” The remarkable story of Deano Ware’s journey to the Supreme Court—and setting a landmark precedent—is worth watching.
EXCLUSIVE: Listen to our newest podcast episode before its official release. Another season of Becket’s podcast, Stream of Conscience, is on its way. Listen to our first episode, "RFRA, We Love You,” before it drops!
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Gratefully,
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Montse Alvarado
Executive Director |
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