"For 12 years, Rep. John Moss of California fought for passage of an astonishing new concept: a law that would make all government records available to any 'person.'
"In this year of government and public division, history shows that this great legislative achievement was accomplished by Democrats and Republicans working together. Moss was a Democrat. President Lyndon Johnson was a Democrat. But, FOIA was enacted only with last minute Republican help.
"The U.S. thus became the third country in the world (after Sweden and Finland) to enact a Freedom of Information law. Since then, 125 nations have followed suit. Open government is now endorsed by the World Bank and the United Nations.
"While it needs improvement, the Freedom of Information Act remains a tribute to the possibilities of bipartisanship in America and the hope that our current divisions can be minimized with cooperation.
"As John Moss answered my question almost 30 years ago, as we walked down the quiet, peaceful halls of the Rayburn Building toward the Capital, 'Do I think FOIA is as good a disclosure law as it should be? Of course not,' Moss said. 'But the battle never ends.'"
