AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Longtime open government advocate Joe Larsen has received the James Madison Award from the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas.
Larsen, who is special counsel for Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold, LLP in Houston, received the award at the foundation's annual conference Friday.
The award is given each year to someone who has demonstrated outstanding commitment and service in upholding the principles of the First Amendment.
FOIFT president Laura Prather says Larsen epitomizes a "public information warrior."
Larsen in accepting the award said Texas is facing a crisis in government transparency amid a legal challenge to the state open meetings act and as local governments try to resist releasing public information every day.
