ALAWON: American Library Association Washington Office Newsline
Volume 12, Number 82
September 15, 2003

In This Issue: Rep. Bernie Sanders Named Library Journal's 2003 "Politician of the Year"

Rep. Bernie Sanders, the Independent Congressman from Vermont who marshaled a growing coalition in Congress against the USA PATRIOT Act, is featured on the cover of the September 15, 2003 Library Journal as the 2003 "Politician of the Year." Nominated by librarians in his home state and around the country, Sanders was honored for his pioneering work to repeal Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act, which makes it much easier for government agents to search the records of libraries and bookstores. Sanders's efforts, highlighted in the magazine, have been embraced by a broad spectrum of Congressional representatives, local city councils, and citizens. "We don't want to see a slow but chilling impact on intellectual curiosity," Sanders declared. 

The award, which has been given annually since 1997, honors an elected official who has significantly promoted or advocated for libraries. Library Journal (www.libraryjournal.com) is the nation's oldest independent library publication. Founded in 1876, LJ is read by over 100,000 library directors, administrators, and others in public, academic, and special (e.g., business)libraries. 



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ALA Washington Office, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Suite 403, Washington, D.C. 20004-1701; phone: 202.628.8410 or 800.941.8478 toll-free; fax: 202.628.8419; e-mail: alawash@alawash.org; Web site: http://www.ala.org/washoff.  Executive Director: Emily Sheketoff. Office of Government Relations: Lynne Bradley, Director; Camille Bowman, Mary Costabile, Don Essex, Patrice McDermott and Miriam Nisbet. Office for Information Technology Policy: Rick Weingarten, Director; Kathy Mitchell, Carrie Russell. ALAWON Editor: Bernadette Murphy.