Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced the creation of his own YouTube channel on the popular online video sharing site that allows people to watch and share originally created videos.  The channel, www.youtube.com/vagovernor, features video clips of public service announcements, speeches and public forums with the Governor. Governor Kaine's channel is part of the Virginia government community of channels.
 
"I am pleased to join the Virginia government community of YouTube channels," Governor Kaine said. "The use of new media to deliver information online is vital to engage citizens in the process of government."
 
In the future, the channel hopes to expand video coverage of press conferences and other appearances.
 
Governor Kaine's involvement marks the twenty-fifth Virginia government entity offering Virginians access to their government through the Commonwealth of Virginia's official channel on YouTube, www.youtube.com/virginiagovernment.
 
Other participants include state agencies, such as the Departments of Emergency Management and Game and Inland Fisheries; localities, such as the counties of Roanoke, Montgomery, Arlington and Fairfax; and higher education participants such as Old Dominion University, the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech.
 
"Our goal is to provide full citizen access to Virginia government through every possible means. Free access to government videos online improves our ability to meet this goal," said Aneesh Chopra, Secretary of Technology. "Partnerships between our many service-oriented state entities are also very important to us, and the breadth of this initiative is a significant benefit to the Commonwealth."
 
As an early adopter of the YouTube platform, Virginia is among the first states to launch a YouTube channel. The Virginia Information Technologies Agency and Secretary Chopra's office lead the effort.

The preceding was compiled from an Office of the Governor news release.