Senate Resolution No. 1114

BY: Senator HOYLMAN

RECOGNIZING and celebrating the week of March
12-18, 2017, as Sunshine Week

WHEREAS, The pillars of democracy include government transparency,
accessibility and accountability, resulting in an informed citizenry;
and

WHEREAS, Sunshine Week is a national initiative about the importance
of open government and freedom of information; and

WHEREAS, Sunshine Week seeks to enlighten and empower people to play
an active role in their government at all levels; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body understands and appreciates the value
of access to information it needs to make informed decisions, and the
corresponding importance of access to government information by the
citizens of this state; and

WHEREAS, The free flow of information from the government to the
people instills trust and confidence in our democracy, and ensures that
our government is accessible, accountable and open; and

WHEREAS, We must continue to educate and empower the public
regarding their right to access government documents, information and
meetings; and

WHEREAS, Nationwide, during the week of March 12-18, 2017, countless
citizens and others interested in open government will celebrate
"Sunshine Week"; and

WHEREAS, Sunshine Week is a non-partisan initiative whose supporters
are conservative, liberal and every group in between, and its
participants include print, broadcast, online news media, civic groups,
libraries, non-profits, schools and others interested in the public's
right to know; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize and celebrate the week of March 12-18, 2017, as Sunshine Week.