[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 9, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1190-E1191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       INCLUDE AMERICANS ABROAD IN CENSUS 2000, H. CON. RES. 129

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 9, 1999

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am today introducing H. Con. Res. 129, 
which I would like to have inserted and printed in the Record at the 
end of my statement.
  H. Con. Res. 129, expresses support for the inclusion in Census 2000 
of all Americans residing abroad. I will be joined in this effort by 
Senator Spencer Abraham who will be introducing the Senate companion 
resolution.
  This resolution will direct the U.S. Census Bureau to include all 
American citizens residing overseas in Census 2000, not just federally-
affiliated Americans; and expresses the intention of Congress to 
approve legislation authorizing and appropriating the funds necessary 
to carry out this directive.
  As chairman of the International Relations Committee and as a long 
time member of the former Post Office and Civil Service Committee I 
have had numerous opportunities to

[[Page E1191]]

work with Americans living and working overseas and can attest to the 
increasingly important role this segment of the U.S. population plays 
in our nation's economy and in our relations with countries and their 
citizens throughout the world.
  In this era of growing globalization, we are all aware of the 
importance placed upon our nation's exports of goods and services 
overseas in an effort to provide a strong and versatile economy.
  Not only are we reliant on Americans abroad to carry-out exports for 
the creation of U.S.-based jobs, but we rely on these U.S. citizens to 
best promote and advance U.S. interest around the world.
  Nevertheless, the U.S. Census Bureau does not count private sector 
Americans residing abroad, despite the fact that the U.S. Government 
employees working overseas are currently included in the U.S. census. 
This is an inconsistent and inappropriate policy, especially if the 
bureau is true to its word in that it wants the Census 2000 to be the 
``most accurate census ever.''
  It is imperative that the U.S. Census Bureau count all Americans, 
including private citizens living and working abroad. Not only will 
such a policy provide an accurate Census 2000, but it will allow 
Congress and private sector leaders to realize how best to support U.S. 
companies and our citizenry abroad.
  U.S. citizens abroad vote and pay taxes in the United States, yet are 
discriminated against by the U.S. Government solely because they are 
private citizens.

  Let's change this policy and include private sector Americans 
residing overseas in the census.
  Accordingly, I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution.

                            H. Con. Res. 129

       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),

     SECTION 1. SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT THE BUREAU OF THE CENSUS 
                   SHOULD INCLUDE IN THE 2000 DECENNIAL CENSUS ALL 
                   CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES RESIDING ABROAD.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) The Bureau of the Census has announced its intention to 
     exclude more than 3,000,000 citizens of the United States 
     living and working overseas from the 2000 decennial census 
     because such citizens are not affiliated with the Federal 
     Government.
       (2) The Bureau of the Census has stated its desire to make 
     the 2000 decennial census ``the most accurate ever''.
       (3) Exports by the United States of goods, services, and 
     expertise play a vital role in strengthening the economy of 
     the United States--
       (A) by creating jobs based in the United States; and
       (B) by extending the influence of the United States around 
     the globe.
       (4) Citizens of the United States living and working 
     overseas strengthen the economy of the United States--
       (A) by purchasing and selling United States exports; and
       (B) by creating business opportunities for United States 
     companies and workers.
       (5) Citizens of the United States living and working 
     overseas play a key role in advancing the interests of the 
     United States around the world as highly visible economic, 
     political, and cultural ambassadors.
       (6) In 1990, as a result of widespread bipartisan support 
     in Congress, the Bureau of the Census enumerated all United 
     States Government officials and other citizens of the United 
     States affiliated with the Federal Government living and 
     working overseas for the apportionment of representatives 
     among the several States and for other purposes.
       (7) In the 2000 decennial census, the Bureau of the Census 
     again intends to so enumerate all such officials and other 
     citizens of the United States.
       (8) The Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act of 1975 gave 
     citizens of the United States residing abroad the right to 
     vote by absentee ballot in any Federal election in the State 
     in which the citizen was last domiciled over 2 decades ago.
       (9) Citizens of the United States who live and work 
     overseas, but who are not affiliated with the Federal 
     Government, vote in elections and pay taxes.
       (10) Organizations that represent individuals and companies 
     overseas, including both Republicans Abroad and Democrats 
     Abroad, support the inclusion of all citizens of the United 
     States residing abroad in the 2000 decennial census.
       (11) The Internet facilitates easy maintenance of close 
     contact with all citizens of the United States throughout the 
     world.
       (12) All citizens of the United States living and working 
     overseas should be included in the 2000 decennial census.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--it is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the Bureau of the Census should enumerate all citizens 
     of the United States residing overseas in the 2000 decennial 
     census; and
       (2) legislation authorizing and appropriating the funds 
     necessary to carry out such an enumeration should be enacted.

     

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