[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 9, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S6801]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 38--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT 
 THE BUREAU OF THE CENSUS SHOULD INCLUDE IN THE 2000 DECENNIAL CENSUS 
           ALL CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES RESIDING ABROAD

  Mr. ABRAHAM submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs:

                            S. Con. Res. 38

       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     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.

                          ____________________