Date 5/8/02
Contact: FOIFT office, (214) 977-6658
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas will Hold Annual Conference in Austin

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas will host its annual state conference Friday and Saturday, Sept. 20-21, at the Inter-Continental Stephen F. Austin Hotel in Austin. This year’s theme is Sunshine in Crisis. The goal is to address security and privacy issues as they impact an open government in a free society.

The program will include:
•FOI in the Post September 11th World. This panel will examine issues related to open government and FOI in light of increased security in the new war on terrorism.
•The Privacy Paradox. Members of the State Privacy Task Force will discuss the committee’s focus and give us a look at privacy issues to be examined in the upcoming 78th Legislative Session.
•The FOIFT James Madison Award will be presented Friday. This award is given annually to honor those who demonstrate outstanding commitment and service in upholding the principles of the First Amendment.

Three registration packages are available. Early registrations made before August 16 are as follows: Package #1, $150, includes all conference events, Sept. 20 and 21; Package #2, $100, provides access to all conference events on Sept. 20, including the keynote luncheon; Package #3, $60, allows admission to the Open Government seminar on Sept. 21, and includes meals and materials for that time. Prices after August 16 will be $180 for Package #1, $125 for Package # 2, and $75 for Package #3. Students may audit the conference for free, but will not receive food or materials. To register, call the FOIFT office at (214) 977-6658.

Hotel accommodations may be made by contacting the Inter-Continental Stephen F. Austin Hotel at (512) 457-8800. Make sure to mention the FOIFT Conference to receive the special reduced rate of $109 (single or double). Availability and rate subject to change after August 28.

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas was founded in 1978 to encourage, sponsor and facilitate a greater appreciation, knowledge and understanding of the First Amendment. By educating media and legal professionals, educators, students, public and government officials and individual citizens about their rights and responsibilities as citizens, the FOIFT works to preserve the freedoms necessary in a democratic republic.

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization supported through grants from private citizens, corporations, foundations and tax deductible donations. For more information, call (214) 977-6658, or visit our web page, www.foift.org.

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