[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 161 (Monday, December 15, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2420]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   ``DEPARTMENTS OF COMMERCE, JUSTICE, AND STATE, THE JUDICIARY, AND 
             RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT OF 1998''

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MAJOR R. OWENS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 13, 1997

  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the 
census language in the Commerce, Justice, State appropriations bill 
H.R. 2267, because it would jeopardize a fair and accurate count of the 
U.S. population. In true Republican form, the majority has once again 
politicized an issue that is as straightforward as the science behind 
statistical sampling. In a self-serving and subtle racist effort to 
maintain control of Congress, some Republicans are hampering the 
Democratic effort to ensure that all Americans are counted in the 
Decennial Census.
  H.R. 2267 would allow opponents of sampling to file lawsuits in 
Federal courts to block the use of sampling in the 2000 census. It also 
gives unprecedented power to the Speaker of the House to sue on behalf 
of the House to block sampling and to use resources of the House 
counsel or outside counsel to pursue such litigation. Finally, the bill 
is plagued with partisan language which states that statistical 
sampling ``poses the risk of an inaccurate, invalid and 
unconstitutional census.''
  It is unfortunate and unconscionable that while we have the tools to 
obtain an accurate count in the 2000 census, some in Congress continue 
to object to the use of statistical sampling. We can use statistical 
sampling to transcend socioeconomic barriers that have historically 
restricted an accurate count. In the last census, almost four million 
Americans were not counted because of the antiquated counting method 
that was used. That means that 1.6 percent of our population was not 
counted. The current counting method relies on a door-to-door count of 
every person in the Nation. This method is neither the most efficient 
nor is it cost effective. The Census Bureau estimates that nearly five 
million Americans will not be counted in the 2000 census if the 
traditional methods are used.
  Faced with past failures, it is only logical that we should use all 
of our existing resources to achieve a fair and accurate count. 
Scientists have concluded that it is close to impossible to physically 
count each and every person in the United States. Statistical sampling 
has been universally accepted by the scientific community as the best 
way to conduct the 2000 census. The Census Bureau would simply account 
for those residents it cannot count. Sampling is a scientific method 
endorsed by the American Statistical Society, the General Accounting 
Office, and the National Academy of Sciences.
  In light of all of these facts, we must ask ourselves: Why does the 
Republican majority continue to oppose sampling? The answer lies in who 
the census undercounts when sampling is not employed. Studies have 
concluded that the undercount is not uniform across the population. 
Minorities, particularly in urban areas, are grossly undercounted by 
traditional methods. This leads me to conclude that race has become an 
underlying factor in the 2000 census debate and raises more questions 
about why statistical sampling has come under attack by Republicans. 
The results from the census determine how Federal funds are allocated 
to the localities as well as how congressional seats are distributed 
among States. For instance, census data determines how certain public 
works funds are distributed, the creation of Federal empowerment zones, 
the establishment of fair market rent values, and the need for equal 
employment opportunities programs. Only through sampling can we ensure 
that States receive their fair share of Federal funds and programs. 
Since minorities have historically supported the Democratic Party, I 
believe that Republicans are positioning themselves to maintain power 
by depriving minorities of scarce Federal funds and representation in 
the Congress.
  It is immoral and undemocratic for anyone to support a proposal that 
would deny the Census Bureau the vehicle to count each and every 
American. In a major and unprecedented move to mend the sad state of 
race relations, President Clinton has created an ``Initiative on 
Race.'' It is rather ironic that Republicans are trying to turn back 
the clock by refusing to have a census that counts not just their 
supporters but every American. While we all know that American history 
is rampant with instances of prejudice and racism, it is unfortunate 
that this Commerce, Justice, State appropriations bill will add another 
pathetic chapter to that piece of history we are trying so hard to 
heal.

                          ____________________