Collaboration on Government Secrecy Celebrates Sunshine Week with Freedom of Information Program
Congressional Staff Members Will Discuss Current and Potential FOIA Oversight and Legislation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 11, 2013 - Media and public interest groups will gather at American University Washington College of Law on March 18 to celebrate Freedom of Information Day with a series of vital sessions on government transparency.
In the United States, "Freedom of Information Day" is celebrated annually on James Madison’s birthday, during what is known as “Sunshine Week.” This program is the sixth annual celebration of Freedom of Information Day held by American University Washington College of Law’s Collaboration on Government Secrecy (CGS).
“We’re quite gratified that over the past five years this has become the principal celebration of Freedom of Information Day throughout the nation, the one that delivers the strongest subject-matter content to both experts in the field and members of the broader government-openness community alike,” said Daniel Metcalfe, director of American University Washington College of Law’s Collaboration on Government Secrecy.
Panels of leading experts and distinguished keynote speakers will discuss major issues of importance to the openness-in-government community, particularly high-visibility Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) litigation cases, the impact of a groundbreaking Sunshine Week report issued by the Center for Effective Government, and the aftermath of Milner v. Department of the Navy, a U.S. Supreme Court decision that has completely changed a key FOIA exemption. For the second year in a row, congressional staff members from the House, Senate, majority, and minority will come together to discuss current and prospective FOIA oversight and activity.
Leonard Schaitman, a 46-year FOIA veteran who has served as the federal government’s principal appellate litigation supervisor for FOIA cases since 1973, will give the keynote address and will be presented with the 2013 “Robert Vaughn FOIA Legend Award,” in recognition of his unparalleled career shaping the development of the law through litigation and promoting its proper government-wide administration. James P. Conrad, chairman of the Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice of the American Bar Association, will give the luncheon address.
Sixth Annual Freedom of Information Day Celebration
March 18, 2013
9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
American University Washington College of Law
4801 Massachusetts Ave NW
Washington, D.C.
Room 603
Read more information or register for the event.
Media interested in attending the event should contact Megan Smith, (202) 274-4276.
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