HR 398 — A Resolution designating the week of March 15 through 21, 2026, as "Sunshine Week" in Pennsylvania.

PRINTER'S NO.   2795

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 398
                                                Session of
                                                  2026

     INTRODUCED BY MATZIE, VENKAT, FREEMAN, HILL-EVANS, MADDEN AND
        SANCHEZ, JANUARY 23, 2026

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS AND
        OPERATIONS, JANUARY 26, 2026


                                 A RESOLUTION
 1   Designating the week of March 15 through 21, 2026, as "Sunshine
 2      Week" in Pennsylvania.
 3      WHEREAS, The basic principles of freedom of speech and
 4   freedom of the press guaranteed in the Constitution of the
 5   United States are fundamental to our national heritage; and
 6      WHEREAS, Since 2005, the American Society of News Editors and
 7   the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association and its members, which
 8   include all of this Commonwealth's 82 daily newspapers, 124
 9   nondaily and collegiate news publications and 13 online-only
10   news organizations annually observe "Sunshine Week" in mid-
11   March, coinciding with James Madison's birthday on March 16, as
12   a nonpartisan, nonprofit initiative to illustrate the importance
13   of open government and public access to government records and
14   meetings; and
15      WHEREAS, "Sunshine Week" participation by nonjournalism
16   groups is growing through national and local forums planned by
17   civic groups, libraries, open government and freedom of
 1   information groups and student media; and
 2      WHEREAS, "Sunshine Week" was established to spark a
 3   discussion about the importance of open government and public
 4   access to government documents and meetings; and
 5      WHEREAS, These issues are important in this Commonwealth,
 6   where public access issues regularly emerge; therefore be it
 7      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
 8   week of March 15 through 21, 2026, as "Sunshine Week" in
 9   Pennsylvania; and be it further
10      RESOLVED, That all residents of this Commonwealth be urged to
11   join in this observance of the basic principles of an open and
12   accessible government in a free society.




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