[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 135 (Friday, September 23, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
            THE CENSUS ADDRESS LIST IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1994

                                 ______


                         HON. THOMAS C. SAWYER

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 23, 1994

  Mr. SAWYER. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing, along with my 
colleague, Congressman Tim Petri, the Census Address List Improvement 
Act of 1994. This legislation is an important step in preparing for the 
2000 census, which is coming more quickly than many of us might 
imagine.
  If a household is not on the Census Bureau's address list, it 
probably won't be counted in the census. Therefore an accurate address 
list is critical. This legislation will help the Census Bureau improve 
its address operation in order to take a more accurate and less costly 
census in the year 2000. In addition, it provides for a more efficient 
use of local expertise and allows local officials to see that their 
involvement is a worthwhile part of census-taking.
  In preparation for the 1990 census, the Census Bureau spent $300 
million to develop an address list. However, the final product missed 
millions of housing units and contained millions of nonexistent or 
incorrectly placed housing units. The process did not allow for 
substantive involvement of local governments, many of whom have a great 
deal of local address information. In the process, many local officials 
grew to distrust the Bureau and the results of its efforts.
  Local government involvement in prior address list development has 
been minimal. Today, however, we have the potential to expand that 
involvement significantly. In addition, we have at our disposal a 
comprehensive address list from the U.S. Postal Service. Combining 
those two sources can substantially replace the need for costly and 
marginally-accurate field operations used by the Bureau in the past.
  The legislation creates a way for the Bureau to receive standardized 
address information from local governments, many of whom are investing 
currently in modern geographic information systems. The bill also 
provides an efficient way for the Bureau and local governments to 
resolve discrepancies and verify the accuracy of census information. 
The bill creates a fair process for local governments to dispute the 
Bureau's final address list. Finally, the bill requires the Postal 
Service to provide address information to the Bureau, eliminating any 
uncertainty in current law.
  It is important to emphasize that none of the address lists will 
contain names or other identifying information. As an extra precaution, 
the address information can only be shared with individuals designated 
by local officials as special liaisons. Those liaisons can only view 
the census information for the purpose of verifying its accuracy. They 
would be subject to heavy penalties for unauthorized disclosures.
  In drafting this legislation, Mr. Petri and I enjoyed close and 
constructive consultation with a wide variety of local government 
representatives, several organizations concerned about individual 
privacy, the Census Bureau, the Postal Service and numerous independent 
experts.
  I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation.

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