Randy Tate: “I want to thank Chairman Clinger and Representative Horn for their hard work and leadership. As chairman of the…”

“I want to thank Chairman Clinger and Representative Horn for their hard work and leadership. As chairman of the Government Reform and Oversight Committee-- Chairman Clinger has played a vital role in bringing H.R. 3802--the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1996--before us today. And Chairman Horn of the Subcommittee on Government Management, Information and Technology--has served on the front lines in our efforts to improve the efficiency and responsiveness of Government operations. I have been fortunate to work alongside Representative Horn in the area of Federal information policy and the Electronic Freedom of Information Act amendments. I would also like to acknowledge the support of Representative Carolyn Maloney and Representative Collin Peterson. Their contributions have ensured that H.R. 3802 is a truly bipartisan effort. Opening the work of the Federal Government to the watchful and vigilant eyes of the American taxpayers and the public is an effort that both parties and the administration can and should embrace wholeheartedly. Thirty years ago--Congress passed the Freedom of Information Act [FOIA] to advance one of the basic tenets of our Constitution--that our Federal Government is always open, accessible, and accountable to the American people. Government works best under the watchful and vigilant eyes of its owners--the American people.”