From: Governor’s Press Office

Sent: Friday, March 14, 2008 10:08 AM

Subject: Governor Crist Proclaims “A Week of Sunshine”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARCH 14, 2008

CONTACT:

GOVERNOR’S PRESS OFFICE

(850) 488-5394

Governor Crist Proclaims “A Week of Sunshine”

Tallahassee—Governor Charlie Crist today issued “A Week of Sunshine” Proclamation recognizing March 16-22, 2008, as Sunshine Week for the citizens of the State of Florida. The Proclamation urges citizens to celebrate the State of Florida’s dedication to making state and local government more accessible to the public.

“The role of Florida’s government is to serve the people of Florida and Open government gives the people the tools they need to hold their elected officials accountable,” said Governor Crist. “I am proud to defend Florida’s open government laws and honored to keep them among the strongest in the nation.”

In 2002, the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors launched Sunshine Sunday to increased public and legislative awareness of Florida’s strong public record and open meeting laws. After Florida’s trailblazing actions to establish these laws many other states adopted Sunshine Sunday, which resulted in the American Society of Newspaper Editors designating a Sunshine Week in March of 2005 and each year thereafter.

Governor Crist emphasized his dedication to Sunshine laws in his inaugural address. As Florida’s 44th Governor, he has made open government a top priority and, echoing Abraham Lincoln, pledged that under his watch Florida’s government would be “of the people, by the people and for the people.” In his first Executive Order, Governor Crist established the Office of Open Government and charged it with providing the Governor’s Office and all state agencies the tools necessary to serve the people of Florida in a professional and efficient manner. The Governor has created a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information from day one.

The Office of Open Government has collaborated with 36 state agencies and 11 State Universities to assist citizens seeking access to public records and the public servants who work for them. Additionally, Governor Crist changed the Clemency process to make it more transparent for Clemency applicants. Furthermore, he issued Executive Order 07-294, creating a Citizens Open Government Bill of Rights to support citizen access to Florida state agencies Governor Crist also partnered with Google, Inc. to make state web sites more accessible to the citizen’s of Florida.

On June 19, 2008, the Governor appointed the Commission on Open Government Reform. He charged the nine-member Commission to review and evaluate the public’s right of access to government meetings and records. The commission has held three public hearings throughout the state and plans to hold a forth hearing in May. The Commission will submit their findings and recommendations to the Governor, the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives by December 31, 2008.

Governor Crist plans to announce the winners of the Sunshine Week Essay Contest on March 18, 2008. Florida high school students had the opportunity to submit essays relating to open government. The first place winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship, the second place winner will receive a $2,500 scholarship, and third place will receive a $1,500 scholarship. All winners will receive recognition at an event at the Governor’s Mansion.

For more information on Florida’s Open Government initiative, please visit http://www.flgov.com/og_home.

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A Week of Sunshine

WHEREAS, protection of every Floridian’s right to access public records and government meetings is a high priority in Florida; and

WHEREAS, an open and accessible government is vital to establishing and maintaining the people’s trust and confidence in their government and its ability to effectively serve its citizens; and

WHEREAS, the State of Florida has a long history of providing public access to the records and meetings of public entities and must continually set the standard in open government reform; and

WHEREAS, the commitment to abiding by Sunshine Laws is an extension of the commitment to service by the Office of the Governor and all agencies within its purview; and

WHEREAS, in response to increased public and legislative awareness, the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors launched Sunshine Sunday 2002; and

WHEREAS, Sunshine Sunday was adopted by other states and resulted in the designation of Sunshine Week by the American Society of Newspaper Editors;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Charlie Crist, Governor of the State of Florida, do hereby proclaim March 16 – 22, 2008, as Sunshine Week for the people of the State of Florida.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed at Tallahassee, the Capitol, this 14th day of March in the year two thousand eight.

Governor

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