Office of the Mayor

Proclamation

Lawrence, Kansas

WHEREAS:  James Madison, the father of our federal Constitution, wrote that “consent of the governed” requires that the people be able to “arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives”; and

WHEREAS:  Every citizen in our participatory democracy has an inherent right to access to government meetings and public records; and

WHEREAS:  An open and accessible government is vital to establishing and maintaining the people’s trust and confidence in their government and in the government’s ability to effectively serve its citizens; and

WHEREAS:  The protection of every person’s right of access to public records and government meetings is a high priority of the Lawrence City Commission; and

WHEREAS:  The Lawrence City Commission is committed to openness and transparency in all aspects of its operations and seeks to set a standard in this regard;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert J. Schumm, Mayor of the City of Lawrence, Kansas, do hereby proclaim March 10 – 16, 2013 as

“SUNSHINE WEEK”

in the City of Lawrence and commit throughout the year to work diligently to enhance the public’s access to government records and information, to increase information provided electronically and online, and to ensure that all meetings of deliberative bodies under its jurisdiction, and their committees, are fully noticed and open to the public.

                                                Robert J. Schumm, Mayor

March 12, 2013