Date 07/30/02
Contact: FOIFT office, (214) 977-6658
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOIFT Announces Speakers and Schedule for State Conference

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas will hold the Bernard and Audre Rapoport 2002 FOI Conference, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 20-21, at the Inter-Continental Stephen F. Austin Hotel, Austin. The theme of the two-day conference is Sunshine in Crisis.

Friday's program will include three panels. Point-Counterpoint: Do We Have to Close Doors to be Secure? will discuss issues related to open government and FOI in light of increased security in the new war on terrorism. Tony Pedersen, senior vice president and executive editor of the Houston Chronicle, will moderate. Panelists will include: Doug Clifton, executive editor of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio; and Marianne Burtnett, a White House attorney assigned to the Office of Homeland Security, Washington DC.

Freedom of Expression in Times of National Crisis will examine critical periods of national crisis when our government has limited freedom of expression. Retta Kelley, director of community development for the Austin American-Statesman, will moderate. Panelists will include: John Collins, attorney with Burleson, Pate & Gibson of Dallas; Charles Davis, executive director of the Freedom of Information Center at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Columbia; and David McHam, professor of journalism at the University of Houston.

The Privacy Paradox will consist of members of the State Privacy Task Force discussing its focus and privacy issues in the 78th Legislative Session. Cathy Martindale, executive editor of the Amarillo Globe-News, will moderate. Panelists will include: Texas Representative Brian McCall, Plano; Laura Lee Stapleton, an attorney with Jackson Walker, L.L.P., Austin; and Texas Senator Leticia Van de Putte, San Antonio.

Friday's activities also will include the John Henry Faulk Awards Luncheon featuring keynote speakers attorney Mike DeGeurin, of Foreman, DeGeurin, Nugent & Gerger, Houston, and freelance writer and University of Houston lecturer Vanessa Leggett. During the luncheon, the FOIFT will honor Leggett with the James Madison Award for her contribution to the preservation of the First Amendment.

The day will conclude with a reception, hosted by The Associated Press and the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.

Saturday's program will include an Open Government seminar with: Katherine "Missy" Cary, Chief of the Open Records Division for the Office of the Attorney General, Austin; David Donaldson, an attorney with George & Donaldson, L.L.P., Austin; Hadassah Schloss, open records administrator for the Texas Building and Procurement Commission, Austin; Joel White, an attorney with Ogden, Gibson, White & Broocks, L.L.P., Houston; and Thomas Williams, an attorney with Haynes and Boone, L.L.P., Fort Worth. This seminar is designed to develop and enhance understanding of the changing landscape of our open government.

Saturday's luncheon will feature attorney general candidates former Texas Supreme Court Justice Greg Abbott and former Austin Mayor Kirk Watson. They will address the audience and participate in a Q&A session.

The three registration packages, with early registrations made before August 16, are as follows: Package #1, $150, includes all conference events, Sept. 20 and 21; Package #2, $100, includes all panels on Sept. 20 and the awards luncheon; and Package #3, $60, includes the Open Government seminar and attorney general candidate luncheon on Sept. 21. 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 the cost of meals will be assessed. To register, call the FOIFT office at (214) 977-6658.

Hotel accommodations can be made by contacting the Inter-Continental Stephen F. Austin Hotel at (512) 457-8800. To receive the special reduced rate of $109, mention the FOIFT conference. Availability and rate subject to change after August 28.

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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