House Joint Resolution 41

Whereas democracy flourishes only when government is accountable to the people that government serves; and

Whereas transparent democracy is fundamental to preserving freedom; and

Whereas Oregonians have the right to see their government at work; and

Whereas residents of at least other 17 states, including all of the Pacific Coast states, are able to view proceedings of state government on their televisions; and

Whereas Oregonians can view their national government on television and, in many cities and towns across Oregon, can view their local governments on television; and

Whereas the Oregon Public Affairs Network (OPAN), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, in partnership with the Oregon University System, especially Oregon State University and the Oregon Wireless Instructional Network, and public, educational and government television centers in communities throughout Oregon, has created a television distribution network for public affairs programming that reaches, or soon will reach, more than one-half million households; and

Whereas the Legislative Administration Committee has been an essential program provider to OPAN since 2001 and has provided necessary technical and production counsel that has made possible OPAN's coverage of Capitol activities; and

Whereas OPAN also broadcasts its programming on the Internet; and

Whereas OPAN and its partners are best equipped to provide the logistics, networks and technical expertise to deliver coverage of state government proceedings direct and unfiltered to the public; and

Whereas OPAN is the only distribution network available that has as its mission to provide residents throughout Oregon access to state government proceedings on their televisions in their homes; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon:

That we, the members of the Seventy-second Legislative Assembly, pledge full support and cooperation to OPAN; and be it further

Resolved, That our support and partnership shall include providing OPAN access to the full content of legislative proceedings for distribution on the OPAN network; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislative Administration Committee shall make all necessary plans with OPAN to facilitate distribution over the OPAN network of public affairs activities that occur in the Capitol and on the Capitol Mall.

Filed in the office of Secretary of State May 21, 2003

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