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Public Citizen
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Public Citizen is a Washington, D.C.-based public interest group engaged in consumer advocacy, government accountability, clean democracy and ethical government, access to the courts, global trade, and regulatory and science policy.
Founded in 1971 by Ralph Nader and Alan Morrison, its activities span a diverse range of issues, including energy policy, trade policy, campaign finance reform and accountability, consumer protection, medical malpractice, and public health.
The organization represents consumer interests in the United States Congress, the executive branch and the courts, fighting for openness and democratic accountability in government; for the right of consumers to seek justice in the courts; for clean, safe and sustainable energy sources; for social and economic justice in trade policies; for strong health, safety and environmental protections; and for safe, effective and affordable prescription drugs and health care.
Nader resigned as president of Public Citizen in 1980.
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Encyclopedia
Public Citizen is a Washington, D.C.-based public interest group engaged in consumer advocacy, government accountability, clean democracy and ethical government, access to the courts, global trade, and regulatory and science policy.
Founded in 1971 by Ralph Nader and Alan Morrison, its activities span a diverse range of issues, including energy policy, trade policy, campaign finance reform and accountability, consumer protection, medical malpractice, and public health.
The organization represents consumer interests in the United States Congress, the executive branch and the courts, fighting for openness and democratic accountability in government; for the right of consumers to seek justice in the courts; for clean, safe and sustainable energy sources; for social and economic justice in trade policies; for strong health, safety and environmental protections; and for safe, effective and affordable prescription drugs and health care.
Nader resigned as president of Public Citizen in 1980. The organization currently is headed by Joan Claybrook, who was head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) during the Carter administration, 1977 to 1981.
The organization is divided into six divisions: the Energy Program, Global Trade Watch, Congress Watch, the Public Citizen Litigation Group, the Health Research Group, and Auto Safety. Since 1984, they have also had a Texas office. Public Citizen's Texas State Office has concerned itself with environmental enforcement policies, global warming, promoting renewable/clean energy, product safety, nuclear safety, medical safety, auto safety/quality, pesticide safety, insurance reforms, campaign finance/ethics issues, improving state government agency operations and fair trade policies.
Disassociation from Nader
In the aftermath of the 2000 presidential election, Public Citizen has disassociated itself from its founder. Wrote Mother Jones, "For evidence of how rank-and-file liberals have turned against Nader, one need look no further than the empire he created. Public Citizen, the organization (Nader) founded in 1971, has a new fundraising problem—its founder. After the election, contributions dropped... When people inquire about Nader's relationship to the organization, Public Citizen sends out a letter that begins with a disclaimer: 'Although Ralph Nader was our founder, he has not held an official position in the organization since 1980 and does not serve on the board. Public Citizen—and the other groups that Mr. Nader founded–act independently.'"
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