91´«Ã½

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) Washington Office is calling for nominations for two awards to honor individuals or groups who have championed, protected and promoted public access to government information and the public’s right to know.

The James Madison Award, named in honor of President James Madison, was established in 1986 to celebrate an individual or group who has brought awareness to these issues at the national level. Madison is widely regarded as the Father of the Constitution and as the foremost advocate for openness in government.

The Eileen Cooke State & Local Madison Award honors an extraordinary leader who has built local grassroots awareness of the importance of access to information. Cooke, former director of the 91´«Ã½ Washington Office, was a tireless advocate for the public’s right to know and a mentor to many librarians and trustees.

Both awards are presented during Freedom of Information (FOI) Day, an annual event on or near March 16, Madison’s birthday.

Nominations should be submitted to the 91´«Ã½ Washington Office no later than January 26, 2011. Submissions should include a statement (maximum one page) about the nominee’s contribution to public access to government information, why it merits the award and one seconding letter. Please include a brief biography and contact information for the nominee.

Send e-mail nominations to Jessica McGilvray, Assistant Director for the 91´«Ã½ Office of Government Relations, at jmcgilvray@alawash.org. Submissions can also be mailed to:

James Madison Award / Eileen Cooke Award

91´«Ã½

Washington Office

1615 New Hampshire Avenue, NW

Washington, D.C. 20009-2520

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