[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 31 Referred in House (RFH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. CON. RES. 31


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           December 19, 2019

           Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
  Recognizing the importance and significance of the 2020 Census and 
  encouraging individuals, families, and households across the United 
   States to participate in the 2020 Census to ensure a complete and 
                            accurate count.

Whereas the Constitution of the United States requires an actual enumeration of 
        the population every 10 years, with the 2020 count beginning in remote 
        Alaska in January 2020 and elsewhere in the United States in March 2020;
Whereas the decennial census is a responsibility of the Federal Government, 
        mandated by section 2 of article I of the Constitution of the United 
        States;
Whereas any individual who wants to help administer the 2020 Census should apply 
        at 2020census.gov/jobs;
Whereas the goal of the decennial census is to count every person in the United 
        States once, and only once, and in the right place;
Whereas the goal of the 2020 Census is to eliminate the undercounting and 
        overcounting of specific population groups, problems that were apparent 
        in previous censuses;
Whereas the 2020 Census is quick, safe, and easy to complete;
Whereas, under section 2108(b) of title 44, United States Code--

    (1) the confidentiality of all personally identifiable information from 
the decennial census is protected from public disclosure for 72 years;

    (2) the Bureau of the Census is prohibited from sharing any personally 
identifiable information from the decennial census with any other 
government agency, including law enforcement and courts of law, or any 
private entity, for any purpose; and

    (3) the information collected through the decennial census is used for 
statistical purposes only;

Whereas the decennial census is a cornerstone of the representative democracy of 
        the United States, as the data collected through the decennial census--

    (1) is the basis for apportioning among the States seats in the House 
of Representatives; and

    (2) is provided to the States for drawing congressional and legislative 
district lines;

Whereas complete and accurate census data will help ensure that resources for 
        education, health care, rural development, workforce training, housing, 
        transportation, and other matters are allocated fairly and accurately;
Whereas businesses use census data to guide investment in job-creating 
        initiatives, such as the building of new production facilities, and in 
        choosing where to locate new retail and service outlets;
Whereas, in 2020, responding to the census will be easier than ever, as the 
        census form will be available online for the first time and households 
        may choose to respond online, over the phone, or through the mail; and
Whereas a complete and accurate census requires the fullest possible 
        participation from all residents of the United States: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) it is the civic duty of the people of the United States 
        to help ensure that the 2020 Census is as accurate as possible;
            (2) the Federal Government, State and local governments, 
        civil society, businesses, religious institutions, libraries, 
        and other national and local organizations should work together 
        as partners to inform the public that the 2020 Census is safe, 
        easy, and important;
            (3) individuals who want to help administer the 2020 Census 
        should apply for a job at 2020census.gov/jobs; and
            (4) residents of the United States should plan to respond 
        to the 2020 Census to ensure that all people living in a 
        household in the United States, including young children, are 
        included.

            Passed the Senate December 18, 2019.

            Attest:

                                                JULIE E. ADAMS,

                                                             Secretary.