Celebrate Sunshine Week

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.