[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 35 (Wednesday, March 25, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H1452]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   AN ACCURATE COUNT OF EVERY AMERICAN IS ESSENTIAL IN THE YEAR 2000 
                                 CENSUS

  (Mr. DAVIS of Illinois asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as we prepare to take the census 
in the year 2000, I want to take just a moment and underscore the 
importance of this issue. I also want to commend and congratulate the 
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney) for her leadership in keeping 
this issue before the American people.
  Mr. Speaker, let us remember that every person must count; therefore, 
every effort must be made to count each and every citizen. We must be 
able to avoid the massive undercounts that we experienced during the 
past 2 decades, especially among poor and minority population groups. 
Just as we have been able to count the huge crowds that have turned out 
to greet the President on his visit to Africa, we must be able to count 
each and every citizen of this country.
  Sampling is the most effective way, the most cost-conscious way, and 
the most assured way that will let us make it happen.

                          ____________________