Why is it important to promote Lincoln’s Legacy in ?  Partner in the law firm of Runft, Leroy, Coffin & Matthews, Chartered from 1983 through 1988. “ was the greatest president of the  Presidential appointment as United States Nuclear United States of America and was influential in cre- Waste Negotiator serving from 1990—1993 creating ating Idaho the greatest state in the Union.” David and administering a new independent federal agen- thinks it is important for every child to learn about cy with the responsibility of designing a voluntary the history of former presidents. Especially since program, in interaction with the nation’s 50 state Idaho is over 2,000 miles away from our Nation’s Governors and 565 federally recognized Indian Capitol, Washington D.C. He believes the process of tribes, to site temporary and permanent facilities for learning and appreciating history gives us context in the storage of spent nuclear fuel. participating in society to solve the nation’s most pressing problems. Since 1988, David Leroy has continued to practice law in his law firm Leroy Law Offices with an emphasis in David Leroy’s Credentials government and administrative law issues, criminal de- fense and family law trials, hearings, litigation, and  In 1971, he joined the law firm of Rothblatt, Roth- counsel at state, federal, and local levels. He continues blatt, Seijas & Peskin of New York City. to promote Lincoln’s legacy in Idaho through his work  Returned to Idaho in 1973 as a Deputy Prosecut- with many different organizations and sharing his ing Attorney for Ada County. knowledge of Abraham Lincoln with others.  Elected Ada County’s Prosecuting Attorney in 1974. During his tenure as Prosecuting Attorney he sponsored major legislation in criminal justice reform, including Idaho’s Fixed Sentencing stat- ute and the 1977 Sentencing Criteria Bill.  Elected Idaho’s Attorney General in 1978. While Attorney General he appeared before the U.S. Su- ADA COUNTY MAKING HISTORY AWARD David H. Leroy preme Court in three major cases involving salm- on and steelhead fishing, the Carey Act reclama- The Ada County Making History Award honors people tion, and Idaho’s corporate takeover statute. He The Ada County Board of County Commissioners is also authored and successfully lobbied Idaho’s whose activities today are creating our future history. pleased to present its Making History Award to nation-leading insanity defense elimination bill, Ada County is pleased to present its Making History David H. Leroy for his contributions in honoring the the first of its kind to be passed into law in the Award to David H. Leroy a well known attorney, politi- history of President Abraham Lincoln and Lincoln’s United States. cian, and history buff for his efforts to promote and ed- connection to Idaho.  Elected as Idaho’s Lieutenant Governor in 1982 ucate future generations of Idahoans on the legacy of and serving in office from 1983 through 1987. President Abraham Lincoln. One committee with an historical focus he served on

David Leroy was born in Seattle, On April 14, 1865 is the Idaho Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commis- Washington and grew up in Lincoln was visited sion. The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commis- Lewiston Idaho. He earned a by William Wallace sion was a part of a national effort to commemorate bachelor’s degree in Business who was the first Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday in 2009. Idaho Administration from the University Governor of Idaho was one of 24 states to take part in the Commission, of Idaho and a Juris Doctorate from Territory. Wallace which established Lincoln Bicentennial programs the University of Idaho’s College of was supposed to go and events. Law. He also holds a Master of Laws to Ford’s Theatre in Trial Practice and Procedure from that night with the Abraham Lincoln was significant to the State of Ida- New York University’s School of Law. David has had a Lincoln’s; however, ho because Lincoln signed the act creating the Idaho distinguished career in politics and law. He has served he did not because Territory on March 4, 1863. as Idaho’s Attorney General and Lieutenant Governor. his wife was ill. David has been an enthusiastic promoter and supporter What would have David continues to promote Lincoln’s legacy in Ida- of history. He has a strong interest in Abraham happened if Wil- ho by serving as the Historian of the Ada County Lincoln’s role in Idaho. liam Wallace at- Lincoln Day Association. The Ada County Lincoln tended the play Photo: Portrait of Lincoln Day Association celebrates the memory and legacy that fateful night at (Courtesy of the Idaho State What sparked your interest in Abraham Historical Society) of Abraham Lincoln with an annual event that takes Lincoln? Ford’s Theatre? place around Presidents’ Day. In 2012, David and his Would history have wife Nancy donated their collection of Abraham Lin- been changed? “I have always been interested in presidents, lawyers, coln memorabilia to the Idaho State Historical Socie- and lawyers who were presidents.” In 1978, as a young ty. The collection is quite significant and helps cre- Fred Dubois who was an Delegate attorney running for Idaho Attorney General he needed ate one of the largest Abraham Lincoln exhibits in and a U.S. Senator representing the State of Idaho something to say for the numerous Lincoln Day the western United States. lived across the street from the Lincoln’s in Spring- banquets held throughout the state. While doing field, when Dubois’s dad was Illinois State research for his speech he discovered a number of Auditor. During Dubois’s time as an Idaho Territo- intimate connections between Abraham Lincoln and ry Delegate he was influential in supporting Idaho’s Idaho. application for statehood and opposed efforts to

split the territory among neighboring regions. For example, when Lincoln gave the Cooper Union address in New York on February 27, 1860 he had Mason Braymon stand at the back of the room. If Lincoln Promoter of Lincoln’s Legacy in Idaho wasn’t being heard in the back of the room Braymon was to put a hat on the top of a cane and lift it up. Braymon David has a varied leadership background as he has did this and the speech was a resounding success. been chairman on a number of political campaigns President Ulysess S. Grant later appointed Mason and has served on a number of committees. Photo: Lincoln’s Cabinet Room (Courtesy of the Idaho State His- Braymon as the seventh Governor of the Idaho Territory. torical Society)