[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 129 Introduced in House (IH)]







106th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 129

 Expressing the sense of Congress that the Bureau of the Census should 
include in the 2000 decennial census all citizens of the United States 
                            residing abroad.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              June 9, 1999

Mr. Gilman (for himself, Mr. Gary Miller of California, Mr. Sununu, Mr. 
Hinchey, and Mr. LaHood) submitted the following concurrent resolution; 
        which was referred to the Committee on Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of Congress that the Bureau of the Census should 
include in the 2000 decennial census all citizens of the United States 
                            residing abroad.

    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 

SECTION 1. SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT THE BUREAU OF THE CENSUS SHOULD 
              INCLUDE IN THE 2000 DECENNIAL CENSUS ALL CITIZENS OF THE 
              UNITED STATES RESIDING ABROAD.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) The Bureau of the Census has announced its intention to 
        exclude more than 3,000,000 citizens of the United States 
        living and working overseas from the 2000 decennial census 
        because such citizens are not affiliated with the Federal 
        Government.
            (2) The Bureau of the Census has stated its desire to make 
        the 2000 decennial census ``the most accurate ever''.
            (3) Exports by the United States of goods, services, and 
        expertise play a vital role in strengthening the economy of the 
        United States--
                    (A) by creating jobs based in the United States; 
                and
                    (B) by extending the influence of the United States 
                around the globe.
            (4) Citizens of the United States living and working 
        overseas strengthen the economy of the United States--
                    (A) by purchasing and selling United States 
                exports; and
                    (B) by creating business opportunities for United 
                States companies and workers.
            (5) Citizens of the United States living and working 
        overseas play a key role in advancing the interests of the 
        United States around the world as highly visible economic, 
        political, and cultural ambassadors.
            (6) In 1990, as a result of widespread bipartisan support 
        in Congress, the Bureau of the Census enumerated all United 
        States Government officials and other citizens of the United 
        States affiliated with the Federal Government living and 
        working overseas for the apportionment of representatives among 
        the several States and for other purposes.
            (7) In the 2000 decennial census, the Bureau of the Census 
        again intends to so enumerate all such officials and other 
        citizens of the United States.
            (8) The Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act of 1975 gave 
        citizens of the United States residing abroad the right to vote 
        by absentee ballot in any Federal election in the State in 
        which the citizen was last domiciled over 2 decades ago.
            (9) Citizens of the United States who live and work 
        overseas, but who are not affiliated with the Federal 
        Government, vote in elections and pay taxes.
            (10) Organizations that represent individuals and companies 
        overseas, including both Republicans Abroad and Democrats 
        Abroad, support the inclusion of all citizens of the United 
        States residing abroad in the 2000 decennial census.
            (11) The Internet facilitates easy maintenance of close 
        contact with all citizens of the United States throughout the 
        world.
            (12) All citizens of the United States living and working 
        overseas should be included in the 2000 decennial census.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the Bureau of the Census should enumerate all citizens 
        of the United States residing overseas in the 2000 decennial 
        census; and
            (2) legislation authorizing and appropriating the funds 
        necessary to carry out such an enumeration should be enacted.
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