Pat Rogers Always a Man of Integrity

I am quite remiss in not writing this letter sooner.

I met Pat Rogers on a boat touring Elephant Butte Lake in April 1991. We were on an outing with the New Mexico Press Association. At the time, he was a member of the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government and the lobbyist for the Press Association.

Pat immediately impressed me with his strong desire to protect the public’s right to know and FOG’s and the Press Association’s responsibility to make sure unwary citizens keep rights.

I, like others in the two organizations, were bothered by his comments in the private emails, but also know that in no way do those emails paint a complete portrait of Pat as a person, a lobbyist, lawyer or open-government advocate. Pat is so much more than what he has been portrayed.

The irony is also not lost in that Pat has fought for many years trying to free up electronic information, such as emails, to get it in front of the public. Too much government business is conducted secretly by cell phone, emails, texts and tweets.

FOG’s and the Press Association’s hard work — led by Pat for many years — to open those things to public scrutiny has created a whole new way for politicians, public officials and administrators to skirt open records and meetings laws.

I disagree with Pat’s resignation from the FOG board and was deeply saddened to read he had been “forced” to resign his job from Modrall Sperling law firm by complaints from tribal members. I view his emails as poorly made, off-thecuff remarks and not a reflection of his true passions and legal abilities.

I wish Pat the best and hope another law firm snatches him up. His résumé is populated with many hard-fought battles for the public good.

We can’t just discount those many accomplishments, label him racist and pile on like a pack of dogs. Pat deserves much better.