For over a century, the American Association of Law Libraries has been a strong voice on a broad array of information policy issues, including matters related to copyright, access to government information and privacy. The now 5,000-member AALL is hosting its annual meeting in Washington this week.

And I’m honored to announce that Sunlight is this year’s recipient of the Public Access to Government Information Award, given in the spirit of AALL’s principal tenet: the right of equal access to information for all to ensure an informed citizenry and to promote a just and democratic society. For the past decade, the organization has been bestowing the award to recognize persons or organizations that have made significant contributions to protect and promote greater public access to government information. The fact that friend and colleague Gary Bass, executive director of OMB Watch was last year’s recepient only makes it that much sweeter. Also, Steven Aftergood of the Federation of American Scientists and author of “Secrecy News” was the recipient in 2006, putting Sunlight in very good company. A full listing of their awards can be viewed here.

I would like to send special and heartfelt thanks to the folks at AALL for their work and for recognizing ours.