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District to recognize people who madesignificant contributions in their careersBy LINDA STEINIstein@thereporteronline.com

Seeking to recognize those gradu-ates who have made significant con-tributions to the world in their ca-reers, the North Penn High Schoolwill unveil a "Lifetime AchievementHall of Fame" this fall.

The North Penn Alumni AthleticAssociation will continue its missionto provide scholarships to senior stu-dent athletes and the NPHS SportsHall of Fame will continue.

Edwin Kneedler, class of 1963,will be the first inductee and will behonored at a ceremony Oct. 8. Dep-uty U.S. Solicitor General Kneedlerhas argued 113 cases before the U.S.Supreme Court, more than any otherlawyer actively practicing.

His responsibilities include a vari-ety of issues, including separation ofpowers under the Constitution, the

First Amendment, international law,Indian law, public land and waterlaw, among others.

Kneedler, 65, argued many caseson behalf of the government in thefederal courts, as well, including thelawsuit brought by the federal gov-ernment challenging the controver-sial Arizona immigration statute. Heis now gearing up to defend the con-stitutionality of the health-care re-form legislation known as the Af-fordable Care Act.

"It was quite a surprise and quitean honor," said Kneedler, about theaward.

Asked how it feels to argue casesbefore the Supreme Court, he said,"It's a privilege to represent theUnited States government before theU.S. Supreme Court. It's a solemnoccasion. It can be daunting. The jus-tices are very active, asking probing

questions. An attorney has to be verywell prepared and think quickly andrespond to a variety of questions."

Kneedler and his wife, Lynn, whoworks for the Peace Corps, live inWashington, D.C. The couple hastwo daughters, Jenny, a lawyer withthe Justice Department, and Anne,who works for the Cargill Co. in Min-neapolis.

Kneedler, who grew up in Lans-dale, said both his parents, now de-ceased,taughtin the North PennSchool District, and his father,Harry Kneedler, was a coach in the1930s. His mother, Isabella (Jones)Kneedler, who became a guidancecounselor, retired in 1980·.

Thomas F. Strickland Jr., NPAAApresident, said the association start-ed in 2000 to provide scholarshipsfor student athletes,

"This will be our seventh Hall ofFame ceremony," he said.

The group will now honor an indi-vidual with the Lifetime Achieve-ment award while continuing to givethe Sports Hall of Fame award.

Online atTheReporterOnline com

THE REPORTER MONDAY,AUGUST22, 2011 PAGEA3

·NP to unveil new Hall of Fame-Candidates can be considered if

nominated by NPAAA members, allnominees must be graduates ofNPHS, Lansdale High School, Hat-field High School or North WalesHigh School. The candidate must beapproved by the superintendent andNPHS principal.

Candidates must have made a sig-nificant contribution to society in thearts, sciences, legal, medical, busi-ness, performing arts, public serviceor education. Their accomplish-ments must be documented.

In addition to the award dinner,the inductee will be asked to speak toNPHS students at an assembly.

The NPAAA has given scholar-ships to 39 NPHS male and femalestudent athletes. A list of their namesis at l11.npaaa.org. The NPAAA hasmore than 326 members and is opento the public. For more informationcontact Strickland at alum-ni@npenn.or or tfstrickland@com-cast.net.

FoUow. Linda Stein on 1\vitter@lsteinreporter.