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November 12, 2003

The Honorable Christopher Shays
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative Shays,

The Society of Environmental Journalists (www.sej.org), the largest and oldest organization of working journalists covering environmental issues, implores you to restore access to Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports through your website.

Until recently, your website provided access to hundreds of selected CRS reports. Journalists have come to respect and value the even-handed, thorough analysis CRS provides.

At a time when our country is beset by security threats at home and abroad, our government must provide the citizenry with the best tools available to sort through the difficult decisions we face. For journalists seeking to help citizens understand the increasingly complex issues confronting our nation, this taxpayer-funded analysis should be available. It's invaluable.

SEJ is a non-partisan organization of individual working journalists dedicated to improving the quality, accuracy and visibility of environmental reporting. Founded in 1990 and based in Jenkintown, Penn., SEJ consists of more than 1,200 journalists, educators and students. SEJ's programs include annual and regional conferences; a daily environmental news service; a quarterly magazine; a biweekly story tip sheet; an annual journalism contest; a comprehensive Web site; eight e-mail listserves; a diversity program and a mentoring program.

We join with the American Library Association, the Society of Professional Journalists, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and dozens of other civic groups in urging you to again provide the public with access to this important information.

Sincerely,

Dan Fagin
President
Society of Environmental Journalists

CC: The Honorable Mark Green

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The Society of Environmental Journalists
P.O. Box 2492 Jenkintown, PA 19046
Telephone: (215) 884-8174 Fax: (215) 884-8175
sej@sej.org

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