PRINTER'S NO. 339 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE RESOLUTION No.32 Session of 2025 INTRODUCED BY MATZIE, VENKAT, STEELE, HARKINS, SANCHEZ, GUENST, KENYATTA, MALAGARI, GIRAL, BURGOS, NEILSON, HILL-EVANS, SCHLOSSBERG, GREEN, MADDEN AND CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, JANUARY 28, 2025 REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS AND OPERATIONS, JANUARY 28, 2025 A RESOLUTION Designating the week of March 16 through 22, 2025, as "Sunshine Week" in Pennsylvania. WHEREAS, The basic principles of freedom of speech and freedom of the press guaranteed in the Constitution of the United States are fundamental to our national heritage; and WHEREAS, Since 2005, the American Society of News Editors and the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association and its members, which include all of this Commonwealth's 82 daily newspapers, 124 nondaily and collegiate news publications and 13 online-only news organizations annually observe "Sunshine Week" in mid- March, coinciding with James Madison's birthday on March 16, as a nonpartisan, nonprofit initiative to illustrate the importance of open government and public access to government records and meetings; and WHEREAS, "Sunshine Week" participation by nonjournalism groups is growing through national and local forums planned by 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 civic groups, libraries, open government and freedom of information groups and student media; and WHEREAS, "Sunshine Week" was established to spark a discussion about the importance of open government and public access to government documents and meetings; and WHEREAS, These issues are important in this Commonwealth, where public access issues regularly emerge; therefore be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the week of March 16 through 22, 2025, as "Sunshine Week" in Pennsylvania; and be it further RESOLVED, That all residents of this Commonwealth be urged to join in this observance of the basic principles of an open and accessible government in a free society. 20250HR0032PN0339 - 2 - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13