It was no ordinary night. In fact, it was a night that can occur only once a decade. It was the Virginia Coalition for Open Government’s 10th Anniversary Gala, held Nov. 16 in the foyer of the Library of Virginia.
More than 150 people were on hand at the black-tie-optional reception and dinner, where regular folks with a passion for transparent government mixed and mingled with the lieutenant governor, attorney general, legislators, editors, broadcasters and other movers and shakers in Virginia’s world of public discourse.
The event capped a yearlong fundraising effort to build VCOG’s endowment. The coalition’s $200,000 goal has been met, and will be matched dollar-for-dollar by a generous grant from the John S. & James L. Knight Foundation.
The Knight Foundation also provided support to VCOG’s annual conference, held the next day, also at the library.
Following an hour-long reception, guests were escorted into the foyer at the foot of the library’s main staircase for a three-course meal. During dessert, outgoing VCOG president Paul McMasters recognized several distinguished guests, including the children (and one spouse) of the late Laurence and Catharine Richardson.
Larry Richardson was a founding member of the coalition in 1995, while Catharine funded VCOG’s summer internship in her husband’s name after his death. When Catharine died, the Richardson children continued funding the internship, eventually making a contribution to permanently endow the internship. Their contribution was the first one made to VCOG’s endowment, and was instrumental in setting a tone of generosity picked up by many others.
The children of Laurence and Catharine Richardson sit with Diane Johnson, winner of the Laurence E. Richardson citizen award for open-government contributions by individual citizens.
Lt. Governor Bill Bolling, Attorney General Bob McDonnell and Secretary of State Kate Hanley (on behalf of Governor Timothy Kaine, who was on an official visit to Europe) all rose to toast VCOG and to pledge their support for open government.
(Statements from each, plus that of House Speaker Bill Howell are found here.)
Peter Easter (left), VCOG board member and executive director of the Virginia Association of Broadcasters chats closely with Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell.
McMasters and VCOG Executive Director Frosty Landon then gave out the 2006 FOI awards (see related story), which included a citizen award named for Larry Richardson.
Ken Paulson, editor and senior vice president for USATODAY and USATODAY.com, gave the night’s keynote speech: “Clark Kent and the Constitution: The Spirit of America’s Free Press.” Paulson noted how many of the great comic-book superheroes had alter egos who worked for the press (Superman’s Clark Kent is a reporter; Spiderman’s Peter Parker is a newspaper photographer).
USATODAY Editor Ken Paulson, center, enjoys dinner at VCOG’s 10th Anniversary Gala. Paulson, who gave the evening’s keynote address, is joined by outgoing VCOG board president Paul McMasters (far left).
He also quoted from a favorite movie of his, “Deadline USA,” where Humphrey Bogart’s character, a fearless reporter named Ed Hutcheson, reminds the mob boss unhappy with Hutcheson’s upcoming exposé that even if the mob boss kills Hutcheson, there will be others like him ready to step up and tell the world the truth.
“That’s the press, baby. The press! And there’s nothing you can do about it. Nothing!”
Paulson admitted the movie moment gives him chills, lifting his spirits after a grueling day at work.
Major contributors to VCOG’s endowment and sponsors of the night’s festivities include the VCOG Board of Directors, American PressWorks, Appalachian Power, Associated Press, Christian & Barton, Daily Press, Dominion, First Amendment Center, Free Lance-Star, John S. & James L. Knight Foundation, Landmark Newspapers, LexisNexis, Library of Virginia, Media General, Piedmont Environmental Council, Laurence K. & Catharine G. Richardson Family, Society of Professional Journalists/Virginia chapter, Virginia Association of Broadcasters, Virginia Press Association, WTVR-Richmond, and WWBT-Richmond.
FOI Advisory Council member Roger Wiley (left) and council executive director Maria Everett confer, while Bob Johnson of the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government looks on.