Thread by @digiphile

A historical note from AOTUS @dferriero: Before FDR signed a law creating @USNatArchives in 1934, @librarycongress held some public records & others were scattered across our union.

(In 2022, many records are digital & online: archives.gov/foia/january-6…)

#SunshineWeek #OpenGov

https://twitter.com/opengov/status/1503416710455603204

@dferriero @USNatArchives @librarycongress AOTUS: That's the plan, to digitize everything, but we won't see it in our lifetimes.
Most info generated today has no paper equivalent: it's born digital.
What we're talking about is digitizing our history.
Cf @USNatArchives strategic plan: archives.gov/about/plans-re… #SunshineWeek

AOTUS: All of the #JFKFiles are not disclosed yet, but NARA is working on it: politico.com/news/2021/12/1…

If @POTUS invested more time & $$ in declassification, maybe @USNatArchives could hit a 2023 goal?

https://twitter.com/digiphile/status/1453464334227607558

#SunshineWeek #OpenGov

@POTUS @USNatArchives Government transparency is necessary for an informed citizenry and healthy democracy, says @gingermccall, who shared the impact of her work at @EPICprivacy:

#SunshineWeek #FOIA #OpenGov

In prepared remarks for the @USNatArchives #SunshineWeek event, @SenatorLeahy says he believeds transparency isn't optional: it's a fundamental pillar of democracy. "The American people's right to know what our government is doing is enshrined in FOIA."

#OpenGov

"A government of, by, & for the People cannot hide its actions from them"– @SenatorLeahy.

Just so. Open government is fundamental in representative democracy.

That's why we celebrate #SunshineWeek, freedom of information laws, & the public's right to know.

FOIA reform is a real possibility in this Congress, says @SenatorLeahy, in his farewell address to #SunshineWeek at @USNatArchives. (Fingers crossed.)

Our union depends on the consent of governed, but "the governed cannot consent without knowing what the government is doing."

AOTUS @dferriero & @SenatorLeahy have been champions for #opengov for many years.

While the institution of @USNatArchives (& Senate) will endure, both men molded them & US government to change with the times, helping to uphold our right to know in the 21st century.

Thank you