Community Corner
Law Explorers Meet Henry Lee
A group of high school students interested in the legal profession got the opportunity to meet the famous forensics scientist earlier this month.
A program started by a Rocky Hill attorney that helps high school students learn aspects of the legal field recently got some advice from Dr. Henry Lee.
Ryan Yazdzik, who lives in Rocky Hill and attends Northwest Catholic, has always been interested in law and enjoys watching "CSI." Yazdzik received a letter in the mail two years ago and decided to join the Law Explorer program.
"I thought I would give it a shot."
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The Law Explorers, which is coordinated by the Boy Scouts of America, was formed in 2007 by the Hartford County Bar Association and is lead by Claudia Baio of in Rocky Hill. Attorney Rick Mahoney of Wethersfield assists Baio.
The students involved in the program are from Hartford County with several of them coming from the Hartford Public High School’s Law and Government Academy.
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Yazdzik, who is involved in Boy Scouts, hopes to use what he has learned from the program in his studies at college next year where he plans to major in political science. He hopes to someday to attend law school and become a lawyer.
The group has previously watched the legislative debate in both the House and Senate and had interactive sessions at the State Capitol with state Sen. Paul Doyle and state Rep. Antonio Guerrera. On Nov. 15, the Law Explorers took a field trip to the Hartford Club and met Dr. Lee who spent the evening talking about his career and his love life.
"It was a great opportunity," said Law Explorer Stephen Lamaria of Rocky Hill. "I am pretty excited."
When Lee was 22 years old, he was the youngest captain ever in the Taipei Police Department and in charge of over 100 people. He was working about 16 hours a day and so was his staff. Until, he met a beautiful woman that had violated her visa and Lee was forced to put her in jail.
"I lock her up."
That woman would become Lee's wife and they have been married for over 50 years.
"I lock her up for all of her life," Lee joked. "I love her just like the first day we met. We are still in love."
In 1964, Lee and his wife came to the United States, so he could go to college. He worked three jobs and earned a doctrine in microbiology. He would later get involved in forensics because there were fewer professionals in the field at the time.
The famous forensics scientist told the students that he has tired to retire three times and still works 16 hours a day seven days a week at the University of New Haven where he investigates cold cases.
He told the audience he is committed to helping people and bringing closure to the families of the victims. He said the students must "know your limits," but "strive for the best."
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