Petaluma, Calif. – The following is a statement by the American Small Business League:

On Friday, February 11, the Society of Professional Journalists Northern California Chapter announced that it would award its prestigious James Madison Award for contribution to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) by an organization, to Lloyd Chapman and the American Small Business League (ASBL).  The organization was chosen for wresting government documents under FOIA from federal agencies to reveal the diversion of billions of dollars a year in federal small business contracts to Fortune 500 firms and other large businesses.  SPJ NorCal’s Freedom of Information Committee selects the James Madison Award winners. (http://www.spjnorcal.org/blog/2011/02/11/norcal-spj-chapter-announces-james-madison-award-winners/)

“It is an honor to have even been selected for this award, and we feel privileged and thrilled to receive recognition from an organization as prestigious as the Society of Professional Journalists,” ASBL President Lloyd Chapman said.  “I have been suing the government under the Freedom of Information Act for over 20 years. I hope the information that we have forced the government to release regarding federal contracts has been beneficial for small businesses across the country, as it has resulted in billions of dollars in federal contracts being directed to legitimate small businesses.”

The award will be presented to Chapman and the American Small Business League at the 26^th Annual James Madison Awards to be held on March 16^th.

“Sometimes suing the government is not fun, it can be extremely stressful and difficult, but it is also very gratifying to receive recognition for our work using FOIA to positively benefit America’s small businesses,” Chapman said. “Everyone at the ASBL has worked very hard and put in long hours for each and every one of our Freedom of Information Act cases, and it is rewarding to not only win legal battles that benefit the public, but now to also receive acknowledgment and appreciation from a group as esteemed as the Society of Professional Journalists.”

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