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Heroes of the 50 States
The State Government Hall of Fame

Nomination deadline: July 15

There are heroes among us. They are heroes who may or may not be well known within their respective states and communities, but whose labors have gone largely unrecognized elsewhere. They are heroes whose efforts have kept state and local government records and meetings open and accessible to their fellow citizens.

Annually, the Society of Professional Journalists and the National Freedom of Information Coalition recognizes such an individual — someone whose service, accomplishments and contributions have left a legacy at the state and local level.

Heroes of the 50 States: The State Open Government Hall of Fame is a joint venture by SPJ and the National Freedom of Information Coalition. It was developed by leaders in both organizations as a way to recognize long-term contributions of individuals to open government in their respective states.

Specifically, induction into the Hall recognizes “long and steady effort to preserve and protect the free flow of information about state and local government that is vital to the public in a democracy.”

The formal induction occurs annually at the FOI Summit.

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Eligibility

The Open Government Hall of Fame is open to anyone who has made a substantial, sustained and lasting contribution to open government or freedom of information within one particular state. Even if the nominee has been active in national efforts or national organizations, the judges will only consider accomplishments at the state level.

Nominees may come from government, the media, the non-profit sector, the legal profession, or any other area of endeavor that involves citizen access to government records, meetings and procedures.

Nominees may be living or dead, active or retired.

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Nominations

Nominations should include the following:

— Cover letter identifying the nominee and the person or group making the nomination.
— Adequate support material to demonstrate the worthiness of the nominee.

Please send all nomination materials to:

Heroes of the 50 States
c/o NFOIC
Missouri School of Journalism
101E Reynolds Journalism Institute
Columbia, MO 65211
Phone (573) 882-4856
E-mail

Nominations must be received by July 15.

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Judging

All nominees will be evaluated by a screening committee of SPJ and NFOIC leaders, who will select the winners.

For more information, contact NFOIC at [email protected].