The Department of Justice Kicks Off Sunshine Week with Annual Celebration Event

The Office of Information Policy (OIP) celebrated its annual kick-off to Sunshine Week at the Department of Justice and via livestream on March 13, 2023.  The event featured remarks from Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta and Office of Information Policy Director Bobak Talebian, as well as the presentation of the 2022 Sunshine Week FOIA Awards.

The event began with keynote remarks from the Associate Attorney General, who emphasized “the fundamental importance of access to government information and an engaged citizenry to our democracy.”  Associate Attorney General Gupta noted that “[a]t its core, the FOIA fosters public trust – trust of those who are charged with faithfully executing the laws are in fact doing their jobs with integrity and in the public’s interest.”  The Associate Attorney General further noted that “[f]or over 55 years, the FOIA has been used by journalists, civil society, scholars and everyday citizens to gain access to information about how their government works.”  The Associate Attorney General shared that in her own work outside of government, she has been the “beneficiary of disclosures made possible … by the FOIA.”

In his remarks, Director Talebian discussed some of OIP’s initiatives to assist agencies in their FOIA administration this past year.  Those efforts included launching a new CFO Council page on FOIA.gov, releasing three updated e-learning modules on OIP’s training page, and making progress on the Department’s commitments as part of the Fifth Open Government National Action Plan.  Additionally, Director Talebian highlighted OIP’s policy guidance on a range of topics including: Applying a Presumption of Openness and the Foreseeable Harm Standard, the Interface Between the FOIA and Privacy Act, and Guidance for Further Improvement Based on 2022 Chief FOIA Officer Report.

Following his remarks, Director Talebian recognized this year’s Sunshine Week Award recipients by highlighting the key achievements in FOIA administration of each recipient during a virtual award presentation ceremony. 

The following awards were presented:

Exceptional Service by a FOIA Professional or a Team of FOIA Professionals

This award recognized exemplary performance by an agency FOIA professional or team of FOIA professionals in carrying out the agency’s administration of the FOIA.  Eleven Exceptional Service awards were presented to:

• Sandra Raymond  –Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons
• Santos Arellano – Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons
• Rosemary Killoy  – Commodity Futures Trading Commission
• Billi Belcher - Department of Defense, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Lieutenant Nate Bosiak – Department of Defense, U.S. Navy
• Sandra Lesch – Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9
• Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps FOIA Team
• Department of Homeland Security, Privacy Office FOIA Team
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Memphis FOIA Team
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration FOIA Team
• Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation FOIA Team

Outstanding Contributions by a New Employee

This award recognizes exceptional performance and notable contributions in carrying out the agency's FOIA responsibilities by a new employee with fewer than three years of work in FOIA.  Four Outstanding Contributions by a New Employee were awarded to:

• Emily Blitzer – Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary
• Gail Davis – Environmental Protection Agency, National FOIA Office
• Juan Vega Sandoval – Department of Homeland Security, FEMA FOIA Office
• Heather Olson - Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air and Radiation

Exceptional Advancements in IT to Improve the Agency’s FOIA Administration

This award recognized exceptional achievements in greater utilizing technology to make information more accessible.  These efforts could include the implementation of new and advanced technologies to increase efficiencies as well as to improve proactive disclosures and the online availability of information.  One award was presented to:

• Aeron Miller – Department of Homeland Security, Privacy Office

Exceptional Advancements in Proactive Disclosures

This award recognized exceptional achievements by an agency or team of professionals at the agency to proactively make more information available online.  These efforts could include both the posting of more information online and steps taken to make that information more useful to the public.  One award was presented to:

• Health Resources and Services Administration – Department of Health and Human Services

Lifetime Service Award

This award recognized an individual with at least twenty years of service who demonstrated high standards of excellence and dedication.  Four Lifetime Service awards were presented to:

• Kendall L. Cooper – Department of Defense, U.S. Strategic Command
• Keri Schenter – Department of Defense, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Wanda Calderon –Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2,
• Cathy Willis - Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service

OIP congratulates this year’s awards recipients and thanks everyone who attended our event. A recorded version of the event is located on the Department’s videos page.