[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 111 (Friday, August 7, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1609]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




DEPARTMENTS OF COMMERCE, JUSTICE, AND STATE, AND JUDICIARY AND RELATED 
                   AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1999

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 5, 1998

  The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union 
had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4276) making appropriations for 
the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and 
related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999, and for 
other purposes.
  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Mollohan 
census amendment to H.R. 4276, the FY 1999 Departments of Commerce, 
Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and related agencies, appropriations 
bill.
  This important measure will remove language in the bill that 
withholds half of the FY 1999 appropriation for the decennial census 
until future legislation releasing the funds is enacted. By avoiding 
the risk of a census shutdown, the Bureau can proceed without hindering 
its ability to prepare for the most accurate census possible.
  Americans want, and deserve, an accurate census conducted with the 
latest scientific methods and technology available. However, the recent 
census was the first census enumeration to be less accurate than its 
predecessor. It is estimated the 1990 census undercount, of which 8.8 
million people were not included, was 33 percent less accurate than 
that of the 1980 census. Subsequently, 4 times as many blacks, 5 times 
as many Hispanics, American Indians, and non-Hispanic whites, and 2 
times as many Asians and Pacific Islanders were not included.
  As the U.S. Census Bureau prepares for the largest peace-time 
mobilization effort undertaken by the Government, we must apply modern 
scientific sampling methods to ensure a more accurate census.
  The census is a constitutional requirement for the reapportionment of 
the House of Representatives. An accurate census is also absolutely 
essential for a fair distribution of Federal funding for roads, transit 
systems, schools, senior citizens centers, health care facilities, and 
children's programs, including Head Start and the school lunch program. 
With such services and resources at stake for our urban communities and 
rural areas, we must be mindful of the human capital costs involved 
with an ``undercount'' of the population.
  In 1991, Congress directed the Secretary of Commerce and the National 
Academy of Science (NAS) to determine the most scientifically accurate 
and cost-effective means of conducting the decennial census. The 
National Academy of Science panel concluded that statistical sampling 
would fulfill such criteria. These findings were echoed in 1992 and 
1996 reports from a second panel of experts who stated that sampling is 
critical to the success of the 2000 census.
  The Mollohan amendment directs the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) 
to review the Census Bureau's plans and determine if they are 
consistent with recommendations made by the academy in response to 
bipartisan legislation enacted in 1991. By enlisting the aid of the 
academy, the U.S. Census Bureau can refine and improve their techniques 
in order to attain a more accurate census.
  The Bureau's ``census 2000 plan'' has been endorsed by the American 
Statistical Association, the American Demographics Association, and 
virtually all other professional organizations concerned with the 
census.
  Mr. Chairman, the Congress must ensure that adequate and timely 
funding is available for the task of determining our Nation's 
population. Any delay in funding to fulfill our constitutional 
obligation would delay and place in jeopardy many of the planning 
requirements necessary for an accurate census. By removing the six 
month cap on funding for census 2000, the Congress will enable the 
Bureau to continue its preparations for its most important task ahead.
  Mr. Chairman, I ask my colleagues to ensure that progress will 
continue toward the most fair, accurate, and inclusive census in our 
Nation's history. Support the Mollohan amendment.

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