U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Office of the Associate Attorney General
April 24, 1980
Honorable Thomas P. O'Neill
Speaker of the House
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Mr. Speaker:
Enclosed is a copy of the annual report of the Department of Justice for calendar year 1979 reflecting activities under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Again this year we have reported separately costs related to requests by individuals for access to records pertaining to themsleves (termed Privacy Act requests for reporting purposes) and costs related to other requests for access to records (termed FOIA requests). This does not mean that all or even most costs of processing requests of the first type are properly attributable to the Privacy Act.
Many individuals request whatever information the Department may have on them. These persons sometimes cite either the FOIA or the Privacy Act, sometimes cite both, and often cite neither. In these cases the Department gives the individuals access under both laws. The report includes a further discussion of this matter at page 13.
Costs reported here are limited to those associated with responses to access requests made to Department components. Not included are costs the Department incurred in litigating FOIA issues for the entire United States Government. We hope to be able to provide this informaiton in future reports.
In accordance with the spirit of the FOIA, the Department has and will continue to provide the fullest possible disclosure.
Sincerely, Robert N. Ford
Acting Associate Attorney General
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