April 5, 2002
FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATELY
On March 19, 2002 the South Carolina State Library announced the selection of the most notable South Carolina State Government documents of 2001. The selection is announced annually on or near Freedom of Information Day, March 16th, the birthday of President James Madison, an early proponent for citizen access to government information.
Of the ten selections, Comptroller General Jim Lander accepted a plaque of recognition for his office's publication of the South Carolina Comprehensive Financial Report (CAFR). This is the first year that the Office of Comptroller General has been recognized with this award.
Perhaps the most notable function of the CAFR is that it serves as the primary financial instrument used by the major bond rating firms such as Standard and Poor's, Moody's, and Fitch in determining South Carolina's credit rating. This year the bond raters renewed South Carolina's AAA Credit Rating, thereby saving the state millions of dollars in potential interest charges.
Lander accepted the honor by crediting his staff for the document by stating, "My staff deserves the lion share of credit and appreciation for the success of this publication. They work tirelessly every year to make this document the envy of other states. I am proud of their efforts to keep South Carolina a flagship state in financial reporting."
Other agencies recognized included the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, the University of South Carolina's Institute for Public Affairs, the Department of Natural Resources, the Governor's Workforce Education Taskforce, the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs, the South Carolina Energy Office, the State Museum, and the South Carolina Judicial Department.