2001 First Prize Essay Winner

2001 First Prize Essay Winner!

Rebecca Willis
December 7, 2000
History 12H
FOI Essay

For a democracy to function effectively, it is necessary that the citizens are cognizant of their government's actions. Our democratic nation was founded on the principle that our government is "of the people, by the people, and for the people." Yet a participatory citizenry must be an informed citizenry. The Freedom of Information laws have allowed the people of Connecticut to have access to government information, on both the local and state levels. This right allows citizens to have the opportunity to effectively and fully participate in the democratic process.

Twenty-five years ago, this was not the case. A Connecticut resident could be barred from obtaining information. It was not uncommon to be told, "this is not public information". Now, citizens possess the right to attend local and state government agency meetings and obtain public documents. The Freedom of Information laws are remarkable when one ponders where we might be without them.

The Watergate Scandal was a turning point in the political landscape of the United States. ~e public cried for openness, and that mandate called for a change in the way in which government functioned. The growing lack of confidence of citizens with their government on national, state and local fronts created a demand for the right to public scrutiny of the workings of government. With the passage of the Freedom of Information Act, all were given the "Right to Know." Connecticut citizens were given the opportunity to be an instrumental part of government. They now had the ability to bear witness and contest any decisions made by government officials. The shroud that had covered the Connecticut political arena was lifted in 1975.

As a the student representative to the Region One Board of Education, I bear witness to the way in which people exercise their rights as outlined in the Freedom of Information Laws. Members of the public are always in attendance at the board meetings. They pose questions on the allocation of taxpayer money as outlined in the budget and comment on decisions made by the board regarding committee appointments. While I may not be a voting member of the board, I am allowed to voice student concerns in a monthly report, obtain needed information and participate in the discussion of student-related issues, such as the attendance policy, student smoking, or new course suggestions. All decisions voted on by the members of the Board in public session are witnessed by members of the press and public. So whether the agency is the Region One Board of Education or the State Department of Economic Development, all citizens are permitted to attend and thus monitor and scrutinize any decisions reached.

The careful observance of public policy in Connecticut has brought about a more concerned, informed citizenry; a citizenry who realizes their vested interest in the actions of the government and how instrumental public involvement and awareness is. For most of us, that information comes through the newspapers and the media. Without access to important public information, scandal and corruption might go unnoticed, therefore compromising the very rights of the people. The Founding Fathers intent was to insure that every citizen be afforded their democratic rights and receive just representation in government. James Madison, one of the Founding Fathers, believed that "A popular government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a farce of Tragedy--or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own Governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives." Since the passage of the Freedom Of Information Act twenty-five years ago, Connecticut citizens have armed themselves with the power of knowledge and become truly effective participants in state and local government.