ADAM ANDRZEJEWSKI, RIP: Open the Books founder and CEO Adam Andrzejewski, 55, passed away over the weekend. Further details of the cause and for his funeral services are pending.

Adam is one of the most admirable men I have known in my nearly 50 years in politics and journalism. Through his organization, Open the Books, Adam did more in the past decade and a half than any other person I can think of to make American government transparent and accountable. America has lost a true patriot. I have lost a great friend.

When news of Adam’s passing reached earlier this evening, I was reminded of a tribute I did for him and Open the Books for PJMedia last year. Re-reading it tonight is almost jarring because he always seemed to be in great health, full of energy and enthusiasm. He was training to run in the Chicago Marathon in October.

Open the Books, which Adam was inspired to start by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), the main force behind passage of the Federal Financial Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) that resulted in creation of USASpending.gov, will go on and continue to be a major force for open and accountable government. And Adam will be remembered every step of the way.