From the dawn of history, May Day has served as an occasion for celebration: Beltane to the ancient Celts, an occasion for military reviews and a celebration of workers in the Soviet Union. Here in the United States, May Day has been dedicated to an observance of the rule of law and civil society since the 1950s, designated by Congress as Law Day in 1961.

This Law Day comes at a time in human history when we are keenly aware that many around the world are struggling to establish new governments or to make more open, long- established regimes. We have so very much to be thankful for in this country where the rule of law and every citizen’s right to access our courts is an assumption we hardly think about.

Yet today, I would ask you to think about whether that right to go to court to redress a wrong is all we would have it be. Certainly every citizen has the right to petition the courts, but have you ever tried it? And what if you can’t understand the law, procedures or forms for the legal process? Can you afford the professional assistance of a lawyer?

In Maine today more than 93,000 households are living at 125 percent or less of the federal poverty level. It is estimated that these households average one legal problem a year. Less than half of these can be helped by Maine’s legal aid programs. A few of those lucky enough to receive assistance recently testified in Augusta in support of LD 715. They included victims of domestic violence, parents of handicapped children and needy elderly. All eloquently explained the difference a caring and well-trained lawyer was able to make for them in obtaining safety and security they could not get on their own.

LD 715, An Act to Provide Support of Legal Services for Low-Income Mainers, is pending before the Legislature as are funding proposals that would make courthouses safer and more secure for all Maine citizens. It’s a bumper year for bills that make Maine’s legal system more accessible for all of us. Even if you don’t expect to go to court – and who among us ever does? – isn’t it good to know that others are working to give reality to this promise to all Americans? You can find out more about this legislative effort by going to www.mbf.org/justice.htm. And you can learn more about legal aid in Maine by reviewing HelpMELaw.org.

Today, this week, take a moment to appreciate the brilliance of our founders who so valued law and order AND the citizen’s right to access to justice that they wrote them into our Constitution. Consider too how you might help preserve these rights and extend them for yourselves, your neighbors and your country’s future.

M. Calien Lewis is executive director of the Maine Bar Foundation, based in Hallowell, which helps to fund low-income legal aid programs.