Just thought that everyone who is participating in this list is participating in an organization that is receiving the Minnesota Freedom of Information Award this Friday. Congratulations! ### PRESS RELEASE For immediate release: For further information contact: Mary Treacy (612 781 4234) or [EMAIL PROTECTED] FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AWARD RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED Minnesota E-Democracy (http://www.e-democracy.org), a non-partisan, citizen-based organization committed to the use of the Internet to improve citizen participation, is recipient of the 2001 John R. Finnegan Freedom of Information Award. The award will be presented at a ceremony at 12:00 Noon in Room G-40 of the Minnesota Judicial Center on Friday, March 16, 25 Constitution Avenue in the Capitol in Complex. Minnesota E-Democracy was established in 1994 when politically-oriented volunteers created the nation�s first election-oriented website. Today the website features a host of services, including ongoing public discussion of legislative issues: education, transportation, transit, redistricting and elections, tax reform and privacy. The website also provides a full range of citizen participation activities including candidate links, an e-mail forum, and links with public information sources from federal, state and local sources. E-Democracy based community forums are exploring local issues in Minneapolis, St. Paul and Winona. Operated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Minnesota E-Democracy is entirely volunteer based and runs on donated information infrastructure. The Freedom of Information Award is sponsored by the Minnesota Coalition on Government Information, an interest group of individuals and organizations committed to open access to public information in print, electronic and digital format. The award is named in honor of John R. Finnegan, retired senior vice-president of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, co-founder and chair of the Minnesota Joint Media Committee; it recognizes his dedication to openness in government and his work on behalf of the people�s right to know. Freedom of Information Day is celebrated each year on the anniversary of the birth of James Madison, fourth president of the United States and the principal author of the Bill of Rights. Freedom of Information Day 2001 celebrates the convergence of two significant events, the 250th anniversary of the birth of James Madison and the 35th anniversary of the passage of the federal Freedom of Information Act. The Minnesota Coalition is modeled on a national coalition initiated in 1986 by the American Library Association. ### . > . > . > . > . > . > . > . > . > . > . > . > . > . > . > . > . sheldon mains board member 612/729-4088 minnesota e-democracy [EMAIL PROTECTED] ======================================= Minnesota's electronic town square: http://www.e-democracy.org Sign up for e-mail based political discussions about Minnesota political issues and events, Minneapolis issues, St. Paul issues or announcements of Minnesota political events at the web site. _______________________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
