PRINTER'S NO. 3215
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
697
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY MATZIE, BURNS, READSHAW, KORTZ, LONGIETTI,
SCHLOSSBERG, KIM, RYAN, DONATUCCI, SCHLEGEL CULVER, MURT,
FREEMAN, HILL-EVANS, GAYDOS, MARSHALL, BERNSTINE, MILLARD,
ULLMAN, PASHINSKI, KINSEY, ROEBUCK, DeLUCA, YOUNGBLOOD,
NEILSON AND CONKLIN, JANUARY 30, 2020
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, JANUARY 30, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Designating the week of March 15 through 21, 2020, as "Sunshine
Week" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, The basic principles of freedom of speech and
freedom of the press guaranteed in the Constitution of the
United States are fundamental to our national heritage; and
WHEREAS, Since 2005, the American Society of News Editors and
the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association and its members, which
include all of this Commonwealth's 74 daily newspapers, 180
nondaily and collegiate news publications and 9 online-only news
organizations annually observe "Sunshine Week" in mid-March,
coinciding with James Madison's birthday on March 16, as a
nonpartisan, nonprofit initiative to illustrate the importance
of open government and public access to government records and
meetings; and
WHEREAS, "Sunshine Week" participation by nonjournalism
groups is growing through national and local forums planned by
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civic groups, libraries, open government and freedom of
information groups and student media; and
WHEREAS, "Sunshine Week" was established to spark a
discussion about the importance of open government and public
access to government documents and meetings; and
WHEREAS, These issues are important in this Commonwealth,
where public access issues regularly emerge; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
week of March 15 through 21, 2020, as "Sunshine Week" in
Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That all residents of this Commonwealth be urged to
join in this observance of the basic principles of an open and
accessible government in a free society.
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