WHEREAS, Sunshine Week began in Florida in 2002, when the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors launched Sunshine Sunday in response to efforts by some of that state’s legislators to create scores of exemptions to the state’s public records law; and

WHEREAS, Several states followed Florida’s lead and, in June 2003, the American Society of News Editors (ASNE) hosted a Freedom of Information Summit in Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, With an inaugural grant from the Knight Foundation, ASNE launched Sunshine Week in March 2005, and it continues to be celebrated each year in mid-March to coincide with National Freedom of Information Day and President James Madison’s birthday on March 16; and

WHEREAS, Although originally created by journalists, Sunshine Week is about the public’s right to know what its government is doing and why; and

WHEREAS, Sunshine Week is now a national initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. Participants include news media, civic groups, libraries, nonprofit entities, schools, and others interested in the public’s right to know; and

WHEREAS, Sunshine Week seeks to enlighten and empower people to play an active role in all levels of government, and to give people access to information that makes their lives better and their communities stronger; and

WHEREAS, The coverage, commentaries, and activities promoting open government during Sunshine Week have led to tangible, meaningful changes to people’s lives, and the laws that govern them; and

WHEREAS, Sunshine Week is increasing public awareness and people are playing more of a role in the actions that affect their communities. People are learning what kinds of information they have a right to see, how and where to obtain that information, and what to do if someone tries to prevent them from accessing it; now, therefore, be it