[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 39 (Monday, April 3, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H1661-H1669]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
THE CENSUS
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of
January 6, 1999, the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney) is
recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader.
Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, this is Census Day plus
three. My message to the American people is that if they have not
already filled out and returned their census questionnaire, do it
today. Do it this very minute. It is everyone's civic responsibility. I
am very pleased that the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller), the Chair
of the Subcommittee on Census, joins me in this message.
{time} 1900
As of today, over 53 percent of Americans have responded to the
census, with 47 percent to go. To the remaining 47 percent, I say
please do their civic responsibility and fill out the form.
This was going to be our main message tonight here on the floor. But
instead, regretfully, and with some disbelief, we must also stand here
and ask what is going through the minds of some of our colleagues both
here in the House of Representatives, in the Senate, and on the
campaign trail.
With 47 percent of the American people still not being heard from, 2
days before census day, we have Members of Congress, who should all
know better, standing up, holding press conferences and telling the
American people that the census is optional.
Is it that some in the majority are undercount-aholics, they cannot
help themselves but they want an inaccurate census? We have Members of
Congress saying that they ``believe in voluntarily cooperating'' with
the Government; but, beyond that, they will not follow the law. Since
when did following the law in this country become a voluntary thing? Do
they want participation, or do they want to make participation in the
census optional?
What is really disingenuous is the fact that most of the questions on
the long form have been around for decades. What is really amazing with
this newfound concern about the census is that, over 2 years ago,
really 3 years ago also, the content of the long and short forms and
while it was being finalized, every single Member of the House of
Representatives and the United States Senate received a detailed list
of the questions to be asked, including a description of the need for
asking it, along with the specific legal requirement supporting it.
Notification of Congress is required by Title 13, for a very good
reason. That is to prevent the very situation that we face today, major
leaders in our country literally telling the American people that the
census is optional.
Members of Congress, every single Member of Congress, received this
book ``Preparing for the Census: Questions Planned for Census 2000,
Federal Legislative and Program Uses.'' They received this book in
1997, and they received it in 1998. I know that all of the Members who
are complaining about this census received it. Do they not read their
mail?
The time for input and to ask questions was when we were formulating
the census, not now, not during the census, not days before census day.
The questions asked by the census represent a balance between the needs
of our Nation's communities and the needs to keep the time and effort
required to complete the form to a minimum.
Only information required by Congress, not the Census Bureau, but
required by Congress to manage and evaluate Federal programs is
collected by the census. Federal and State funds for schools,
employment services, housing assistance, road construction, day-care,
hospitals, emergency services, programs for seniors, and much more are
distributed based on these census figures. We must all work to make
them as correct as possible.
We should remember that the Census Bureau has gone to great effort to
make both the short and long forms as brief as possible. The 2000
Census short form contains eight questions, down from nine in 1990, and
it takes about 10 minutes to fill it out. Ten minutes every 10 years to
perform our civic duty on the needs in our community, is that too much
to ask? It is shorter than 1990.
Also, the 2000 Census long-term contains 53 questions, down from 57
in 1990. We have the shortest long form in decades. It is four
questions less than the 1990 Census.
The only new questions in the census were added to really evaluate
welfare reform, and the question that was added is asking grandparents
how many of them are caregivers. Does the Senator from Mississippi
think that this question should be optional?
I am a little bit confused, because the same people who today are
making such a fuss over the long form just 6 months ago literally tried
to add a question to the short form, which everyone has to complete.
Some of the Senators raising questions also cosponsored an amendment
offered by Senator Helms which would have asked every American what
their marriage status was and add it to the short form.
Come on Senator, the head of the Senate, he cannot have it both ways.
He cannot be lobbying for additional questions and then turn around and
say that it is too long, that answering them should be optional.
Some of my friends who have been with me fighting for an accurate
census, and many of them are on the floor with me tonight, they know
because they were there when opponents of an accurate census threatened
to shut down the Government twice over the census and the budget and a
flood relief bill was held hostage, and we had to have the anti-modern
count language removed.
Listen, believe me, these people who have fought to get the census
forward to this point, they believe that the actions that are taking
place now are intentional sabotage, the equivalent of a statistical
shutdown of the Government by a small fraction of the GOP.
I really do not believe that, and I do not want to believe it. I
think the answer is much simpler. I think the people criticizing the
long form either do not know or maybe do not care how essential this
information is to solving the problems of the people of our country. If
they do not know what the problems are, then they do not have to spend
the resources and the time and effort to correct the problems.
Let us look at the plumbing question that some of the Senators have
raised. Well, it may shock some Senators but there are places in this
country where Americans do not have plumbing, in the Colonias in Texas,
on Indian reservations. And I really do say that in rural communities,
even in Mississippi, what some elected officials are essentially saying
is that they do not care
[[Page H1662]]
and that they do not want to know about the problems. If they do not
know about the substandard housing in America, then we will not direct
the resources to correct it.
But maybe some of these Members who have raised questions should talk
to some of the Alaskan representatives and hear what Alaskans have to
say or had to say when the census removed a question on sanitation from
the long form. They want it added again because they have plumbing
problems and a lack of adequate plumbing in many places in Alaska.
Or let us look at question 17 concerning a person's physical, mental,
or emotional condition in the last 6 months. Are some Members saying
they do not want to know how big a problem it is, how many disabled
Americans there are in this country?
I would like to remind the House that these questions are essentially
the same questions approved by Ronald Reagan and former President Bush
except that there are fewer questions than the questions in 1990.
In the information age, we need reliable information in order to make
good decisions for this Nation. Some Members of Congress must be stuck
in the 18th century. They do not seem to want to know how America is
doing. Without good data, we cannot administer the laws of this country
fairly. Their comments are rash, appropriate, and just plain wrong.
I want to take the time to read excerpts from some of the editorials
that have appeared since Governor Bush joined with some of his
colleagues and declared the census optional.
From the Sacramento Bee on April 1: ``Trashing the Census.
Irresponsible Bush Comments Could Sabotage the Count.'' That was the
headline. From the New York Times, April 1, and I quote from the
headlines: ``Civic Duty and the Census. Some Congressional Republicans
are Seriously Undermining the 2000 Census.'' From today's Atlanta
Constitution: ``Keep the Census From Becoming Political Fodder and
Participate'' is the headline.
I further quote: ``Participation in the census may also be harmed by
political grandstanding. Presidential candidate George W. Bush and
Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott have criticized the long form. The
alternative as urged by Bush, Lott, and company would be to operate the
government informally . . .''
Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Sherwood). The Chair will remind all
Members that it is not in order in debate to refer to individual
Members of the Senate.
Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I was reading from an
editorial headline.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The same rule applies whether it is the
Members' own words or quotations from another person.
Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Same rule from an editorial headline.
I thank the Chair for making that point.
Mr. Speaker, from Friday's Journal Sentennial in Milwaukee, ``Census
too Important to Ignore'' is the headline, ``There are also plenty of
members of Congress who are now in a huff, saying they sympathize with
citizens threatening to fill out their forms. One wonders what these
guardians of the public good were doing when they reviewed and
apparently approved of the same questions they are now complaining
about.''
A certain Senator from the other body who ran for President and lost
said and did yesterday what a lot of Members of Congress should do.
This particular Senator urged all Americans to fill out the entire
census form and to follow the law. I agree with him. And he was a
Republican. He says, please fill it out.
The good news is that the Census Bureau will follow the law. It will
try to get the long form questions answered, because the professionals
at the bureau do what the law says, the law Congress passes. They will
go out and try to get an accurate photo of this country and report back
to Congress.
I guess we now know why the 2000 Census was designated an emergency
in last year's budget. We just did not know that some Members of
Congress were the ones who would be creating the emergency.
On average, the long form takes a little over half an hour to
complete. Only information needed to manage or evaluate government
programs is collected by the census. $180 billion a year in Federal
money depends on census data. That is close to $2 trillion over the
decade. Clearly, that is reason enough to fill out the form.
I urge every American, every resident in America, to fill out the
form. Do not leave it blank. Do not leave their future and their
community be blank. Be part of the civic responsibility of this
country. Please fill out the form.
I have with me many members of the Census Task Force who have
diligently worked for an active census, one that includes all of the
residents of America.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez), who
has been a great leader on this issue.
Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from New York
(Mrs. Maloney) for yielding. I want to congratulate her on her efforts,
and I want to thank her for allowing me to say a few words on this
important topic.
First of all, I want to commend all Americans who have already taken
the initiative and sent their census forms in. Congratulations. I thank
them for their efforts. They have shown that people across this country
know the value of the census and know their obligation and
responsibility. I thank them for doing their part in making everyone
count in this country.
The last update shows, as of tonight, that 53 percent nationally has
been the response. While that is more than half that have responded, we
are hoping and we will continue to work at a 70 percent response rate.
So we still have a long way to go.
In Texas, we had a 48 percent response. We are hoping for 66 percent.
We still have a long way to go.
I represent 13 counties in South Texas. My district's response rate
per county has been as low as 29 percent in Zapata County and as high
as 52 and 53 percent in both Bexar County and Comal and Guadalupe
counties.
Especially where the initial rate is low, we must work hard to make
sure that everyone gets counted. This week I spent the Census Day on
Saturday at a particular restaurant in San Antonio at the Pico de Gallo
Restaurant. The business community came forward providing both a little
coffee and pastry for individuals to help fill out those forms.
We are going to continue to work on the communities. I am going to
ask the leaderships throughout the 13 counties that I represent to
reach out and do everything they can to make sure that everyone gets
counted. This was a great example on some of our activities that we
have had the private sector participating as well as the public sector.
I want to take also this opportunity to congratulate the gentlewoman
from New York (Mrs. Maloney) and indicate in terms of the difficulty
that we are having especially with elected officials of all people that
should be responsible and not be making irresponsible comments.
I want to highlight the fact that there has been some criticism about
the report and about the census this year, when, in actuality, as
indicated by the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney) the 2000
Census form is virtually the same census form as 1990, with the
exception that it has got fewer questions.
{time} 1915
So when we look in terms of the criticism, especially from a lot of
the Republicans, you need to acknowledge the fact that under Bush and
in the previous decade we had even more questions. The 2000 census
short form contains eight questions. In 1990, it had nine questions. In
the year 2000 census form, the large form has 53 questions, down from
57 questions. So it is important that we bring those questions down.
Once again I want to also highlight as the gentlewoman from New York
did a beautiful job of pinpointing the importance of those questions
and the long form that goes to one out of every six individuals. That
long form allows us an opportunity to be able to identify a lot of the
things that are critical in our country.
For one, in terms of family needs and community needs. I head the
task force
[[Page H1663]]
on health care for the Hispanic Caucus. One of the things that we are
real conscious about is community health centers. This data will help
identify the need for and/or the lack of services in community mental
health.
And so it becomes real critical that these questionnaires are sent
back. When we talk about veterans and the disabled, those individuals
that receive SSI, those individuals that are elderly, that are looking
forward in terms of Social Security, that data is extremely helpful for
this country to be able to identify how many expected over 65 are we
going to be having, how many people are disabled, how many veterans we
have out there in the country that are in need and disabled, in need of
services.
All those types of questions that are there are there for a purpose.
The question that sometimes comes to light is the question regarding
plumbing. We all assume that we all have plumbing, but I am here to
tell you that that is not the case in every community. We still have
colonias, I have them in Bexar County, in South Bexar County, in the
metropolitan areas and I have them in Starr and a lot of the other
counties in the rural areas.
Those types of questions are critical to make sure we identify those
areas that are in need and especially when it comes to zeroing in on
identifying resources that are needed. In fact, some of the counties
that have not responded are some of the counties that are most in need,
that need to be worked on; and we need to look at a little more
closely. I am going to encourage you once again to please look at your
form right now, and I would ask that you seriously look at filling that
out as quickly as possible so that we do not have to send people out
there to make sure that we help.
If you need help, I would also ask that you call my congressional
offices, both in Roma in Starr County in Texas and San Diego in Duval
County in Texas and San Antonio. I would ask you to call our offices if
you need any help and assistance in doing those forms.
In closing, I just want to thank the gentlewoman from New York for
allowing us the opportunity to mention how critical this is. I also
want to submit for the Record a letter that we will be sending to one
of the governors in our State that has made some comments that we feel
are very irresponsible.
Congress of the United States,
Washington, DC, April 4, 2000.
Hon. George W. Bush,
Governor, State of Texas, State Capitol, Austin, TX.
Dear Governor Bush: We are writing to express our deep
concern over recent statements you reportedly made regarding
the conduct of the 2000 census. As you know, the Republican
leadership in the Congress has criticized the information
sought in the census forms and has even encouraged Americans
to leave some of the information blank if they find the
questions objectionable. You joined congressional Republicans
in that criticism last week by agreeing that if Americans are
uncomfortable with the information they requested, they
should leave those questions blank. Collectively, these
statements have the effect, intended or not, of depressing
the census count.
We believe your criticism of the information sought in the
census forms is seriously misinformed. The 2000 census forms
are virtually the same as the census forms used in 1990, with
one exception: They ask fewer questions. The 2000 census
short form contains 8 questions, down from 9 in 1990. The
2000 census long form contains fifty-three questions, down
from fifty-seven in 1990. The 2000 long form is the shortest
long form in decades. Moreover, the Census Bureau sent the
forms to the Republican-controlled Congress for approval in
both 1997 and 1998, and not a single privacy concern was
raised.
You have opposed the Census Bureau's plan to use modern
statistical methods to correct the 2000 census. Those methods
were developed by the Census Bureau professionals at the
direction of Congress in conjunction with the National
Academy of Sciences, and have been found to be the best way
to correct the undercount and overcount of the population
that has plagued prior censuses. The correction to the census
is about fairness. The 1990 census undercounted a
disproportionate percentage of minority populations (e.g.,
Hispanics, African Americans, Native Americans, Asian
Americans), resulting in Texas being short-changed $1 billion
in federal funds that went elsewhere. Despite the best
efforts of the Census Bureau, it is projected that even a
greater number of Americans will be missed in the 2000
census.
Tenuous support of the census will hurt our home State of
Texas. A recent study showed that Texas stands to lose around
$2 billion over the next decade if the correction to the
census is not made. Those funds go to the very heart of
family values: schools, employment services, housing
assistance, road construction, day care facilities,
hospitals, emergency services, programs for seniors, and much
more.
In opposing the use of modern statistical methods to
correct the census, you have consistently said that you favor
a full and accurate count. However, a full and accurate count
has proven unachievable under the best circumstances, and
becomes impossible when leading public officials denigrate
the census itself. Your recent statements suggesting that
Americans need not complete the census are counterproductive.
Thus far, the State of Texas has the fourth lowest response
rate to the census of any State. We still have a chance to
urge Texans (and all Americans) to fill out their forms.
We strongly urge you to clarify your position regarding the
census and stop encouraging Americans to leave census forms
blank. Furthermore, given the numerous public statements
questioning the need to complete census forms, in the event
of an undercount, we urge you to reconsider your opposition
to a statistical correction to the census so that all
Americans are counted.
Sincerely,
Carolyn B. Maloney,
Eddie Bernice Johnson,
Gene Green,
Silvestre Reyes,
Max Sandlin,
Ciro D. Rodriguez,
Ruben Hinojosa.
Mrs. MALONEY of New York. I thank the gentleman for his comments and
his hard work.
Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa) represents a
great State which unfortunately was undercounted in 1990. He has worked
hard over the past several years with many innovative programs and
ideas to make people aware of the census and to improve the count in
his State and in the country. I thank him for his leadership.
Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I am here not to point fingers; rather, to
encourage all Americans to complete and return their census forms. When
I hear people saying, ``Don't bother to fill out your long form,'' and
we seem to be hearing a lot of that lately, I am incredulous. What am I
missing here? To not do so would be like driving down the road and
throwing $100 bills out the window. I just cannot afford to do this,
and I have yet to meet anybody in the circles I travel in who can.
If I want to talk in broad strokes, I can say that nationwide the
Commerce Department estimates that 4 million people were overlooked in
the 1990 count. This figure represents a shocking disempowerment of 1.6
percent of the American population and the figures for minorities were
significantly worse. A full 5 percent of Hispanics were simply
overlooked, 4.4 percent of blacks were never counted, and 4.5 percent
of Native Americans were ignored.
Quite clearly far too many minority Americans were denied the
representation that is their birthright. If I want to talk about the
State of Texas, the 1990 census resulted in the second highest
undercount of any State. Not only in 1990 but for a full 20 years,
almost half a million Texans were inadequately represented in their
government and received only a fraction of the Federal funds that they
were due.
The undercount meant that Texas alone was deprived of $1 billion of
Federal funds. An equally inaccurate census in the year 2000 could
result in a loss of $2 billion to our great State of Texas. If I were
to narrow my focus even more to the area that I represent, South Texas
and the Rio Grande Valley communities stand to lose far more this go-
around than the last. The 15th Congressional District was the 23rd most
undercounted district in the Nation. The miscount in 1990 meant that 25
schools in my district were not built, and over 850 teachers were not
hired through the course of that decade. Over the course of the past 10
years, our school districts have lost well over $78 billion in Federal
funding that would have otherwise been allocated to educate our
children in South Texas.
Mr. Speaker, the 1990 undercount also resulted in missed
opportunities for health care and senior programs as each individual in
my district lost $2,037, or a total of $46 million over the course of
the decade in Federal resources. In short, what we do not receive as
our fair share has real implications for our congressional district. My
constituents lose too much if they are not counted.
Why would we choose to do that? I think we have learned from the past
[[Page H1664]]
about why we need an accurate census count. Again, let me ask, what am
I missing when I hear people essentially saying, Don't bother to ask
for what is yours? If a bank misallocated someone's hard-earned funds,
I am certain no one would act so passively.
Representation in American government cannot be contingent on the
affluence of your neighborhood or the color of your skin. This is a
sanctioned disempowerment of American minorities and cannot be allowed
to continue. We must have a census that not only attempts to count
Americans but one that makes the people count.
In closing, I want to say, Mr. Speaker, by not completing the form
thoroughly and completely, we are allowing ourselves to become third-
class citizens without a voice in our government. The census is in our
hands. It is simple. Abide by the law, fill out the form, and make
yourself count.
Mrs. MALONEY of New York. I thank the gentleman for his remarks.
Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record an editorial from the Atlanta
Journal Constitution that says, ``To find fault with those queries at
this late date is a cheap shot. The alternative would be to operate
government uninformed of its people's needs.''
[From the Atlanta Journal Constitution, April 3, 2000]
Constitution: Keep the Census From Becoming Political Fodder and
Participate
Roughly half of America's households did their civic duty
and answered the U.S. Census Bureau's Year 2000 postal survey
by its April 1 deadline. That level of participation is not
nearly good enough if America is to get the accurate picture
of itself essential to governing fairly and efficiently at
local, state and federal levels.
Fortunately, the bureau still has a ``final, final
deadline'' for mail and e-mail replies. It's April 11, the
day it will send out its enumerators to count Americans who
didn't respond. So if you have yet to fill out your census
form, please do so and mail it this week.
Participation in the census may also be harmed by the
political grandstanding it continues to inspire. Presidential
candidate George W. Bush and Senate Majority Leader Trent
Lott (R-Miss.) have criticized the long census--sent to one
in six American households--as some sort of government
intrusion on privacy.
However, the Census Bureau takes very seriously its
responsibility to keep individual census responses
confidential. Leakers inside will be sought out and
prosecuted, as will hackers on the outside. In fact, the
bureau is working with leading computer-security experts to
make sure its data remain untapped.
Is this year's census survey exceptionally burdensome or
intrusive, as its critics suggest? No, the questions on the
long form are almost all similar to those asked in previous
censuses, including the 1990 census conducted when Bush's
father was president. And every question on this year's long
form was presented to members of Congress for their comments
two years ago. To find fault with those queries at this late
date is a cheap shot.
The information being gathered will be used to redraw
political districts, calculate how government benefits like
Medicare are to be shared equitably, and predict public needs
such as mass transit, roads, libraries, schools, fire and
police protection. Census figures from 1990 helped federal
emergency officials determine quickly where shelters were
most needed after Hurricane Andrew smashed south Florida in
1993.
The alternative, as urged by Bush, Lott & Co., would be to
operate government uninformed of its people's needs.
Mr. Speaker, I would now like to call upon a great leader on the
census and many other areas, the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek).
She helped organize a bipartisan hearing on the census and has worked
very hard for an accurate count.
Mrs. MEEK of Florida. I want to thank the gentlewoman from New York
who has unselfishly led our initiatives here in the Congress along with
the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller) on the census, and while she
has, she has kept up with it, she has monitored it.
Mr. Speaker, all Americans should have their eyes focused on us here
tonight. We are here begging the American public to return their census
forms. I say begging, Mr. Speaker, because it is the most important
thing that we will work on in 10 years' time. This is our opportunity
to be counted. If we miss this opportunity, then we should not complain
about the status of things in these good old United States.
I want to thank all those people who have taken the time to return
their forms and to say to them, Good for you. You have come forward to
be counted.
Those who did not, I want to say to you, continue to work on it, fill
them out and return it. Do not let anyone discourage you from returning
your census forms. Do not let anyone convince you that you need not
fill out the forms completely. They are underestimating your
intelligence when someone tells you, Fill out what you want to, it is
not important, or it is invasive, or it is invading your privacy.
Do not let anyone underestimate your intellectual ability and say
that to you. The ball is in your court. Each one of you, one by one.
One by one you must make a difference in your community, and you must
make a difference in this Nation by setting us on a new path for the
new century.
Our message to the American people is if you have not already filled
it out and returned it, do it today. Do not wait any longer. Another
minute might be too late. So do it today.
As of last night, I am told that over 53 percent of Americans had
completed and sent in their census form. This is pretty good news, Mr.
Speaker, but it is not good enough. We have to continue until we get as
much as 100 percent would not be too much. We want everyone to be
counted. The Constitution says that anyone who is in this country
should be counted.
Now, there are people in this country, Mr. Speaker, that should think
of it historically. They were not counted as a full person. African
Americans like myself were not counted as a full person. They were
counted as three-fifths of a man. Now they must go forward with all
deliberate speed, with all urgency to be sure that they are counted, so
that we will not leave anyone behind.
If they have not completed their questionnaire, if they need help,
they should get it right away. There is too much at stake, Mr. Speaker.
Too much at stake. For example, in my district, we have a need for
housing. So many people in my district are without adequate housing. So
many people in my district, Mr. Speaker, are without adequate
transportation. So many people in my district need better health care.
The mortality rate is high in certain segments of my community. The
morbidity rate is very high in certain areas of my community. They
should understand that unless they stand up and be counted, it will
continue.
So many people complain, we do not have good marketing here, we do
not have anywhere to go and purchase our products, we have to go all
the way out of our district to find a store. We have to go all the way
to another county to find a good place to shop. I am saying they must
take the bull by the horns, because all of these market studies, Mr.
Speaker, are made from census numbers. Population does count. It is so
important.
Last week, we had people to say just before census day, April 1, I
think they utilized, Mr. Speaker, they thought everybody was a fool,
that it was almost April Fool's Day.
{time} 1930
They figured that people should not return their forms. It was
foolhardy, and they are unwise, Mr. Speaker, for anyone in government
or out of government, especially people with high status in our
government, to say, do not fill out all of the census. After all, this
very Congress allocated millions of dollars to be spent for the census.
They thought it was important. They were not just doing this for show,
but to be sure that everyone is counted. Now they come back and say, do
not take the time to fill out these forms. It is unconscionable, Mr.
Speaker, for any of us who represent government or who represent the
people to say to the people, do not fill out the form. Shame on those
who say it. It should not be repeated. They should go back and say to
people, I am ashamed to have taken a constitutional oath and to say, do
not follow the Constitution of this country. The Constitution of this
country says everyone should be counted. They even made it against the
law not to be counted. They even made it against the law for people to
take confidential information that is on the census form and betray the
public trust by giving it away. It cannot be done.
So Congress has worked very hard on this. The gentlewoman from New
York (Mrs. Maloney) has spent a great deal of her time, and we have all
spent a great deal of time in all of the caucuses
[[Page H1665]]
to ask the people to fill out the form. The Census Bureau has worked
very, very hard. They have done so much.
I have been following the census, Mr. Speaker, for many years. I have
seen the census in its good times and in its bad times. I have seen it
when the Government was sued because of an inaccurate account. We do
not want that to happen anymore. The 2000 Census is not a hard form to
fill out. It only has 8 questions; there were 9 in 1990. My colleagues
have heard us talk about it this evening. We are just saying to anyone,
to anyone who is a governor, who is a legislator, who is a Senator or
Congress person, shut up, if you are telling the American public the
census should not be filled out. Anyone's position should be to support
the census.
So let us encourage everyone, because there is so much at stake with
the census.
So we say, well, why should we advise the American public again? We
are constantly advising them. They are going to come to the gentlewoman
from New York (Mrs. Maloney). Her people are going to come and knock on
her door and say look, we did not get what we needed this year. We lost
money that the Federal Government should be sending us. They will be
going to her. My constituents are coming to me; my colleagues'
constituents are coming to them.
They want to know, why is it that some other city, why is it that the
State of New York received another representative? Why? Why did we not
receive one here in Georgia or Alabama or Florida? Do my colleagues
know why? Because people were not counted, because the census count
tells us whether or not we will have another representative in
Congress. It will even say to the Government, maybe we will not have
another representative from Florida, or we might have another one, or
maybe New York will lose another one. Why? Because the people were not
there to be counted.
Then look at the State legislature. We look to see that we have a
good State representative in the State legislature. We turn around and
look, they are not there. Why are they not there? Because people did
not come out and be counted. The Government cannot just go around and
make people. We have to be counted and we must return the forms; and if
we return the forms, we can get the numbers that we want.
We cannot ask too many personal questions. There are not any personal
questions when it comes down to the expending of Federal money, because
they just cannot give money on a whim. That money comes from population
counts; it comes from need. So if one's district in one's community, in
one's neighborhood does not get what it is supposed to get, then it is
all our fault. The ball is in our court; it is in our court. So we may
as well get out there and hastily return the forms.
We are so very glad to be here tonight, I say to my colleague from
New York (Mrs. Maloney), to say to the people back home, if we keep
talking about good schools, we need better schools, we need more
teachers; then if that is the case, education is the key, if we need
that, then we must return our census forms. How can they count children
who were missed in the last census? The Subcommittee on the Census has
worked very hard to be sure that children are counted. So many people
neglect to list the children in their homes, so when it is time to
build schools, they are left out. Then the next thing they do is they
call the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney). Look, our schools
are crowded, we do not have enough teachers, we do not have enough
supplies.
I want to end this by saying that if we return our census forms, we
will be better served by our government, because there is an old saying
which is that whatever we do, we should stand up and be counted,
because as an individual or as a community, we will benefit from that
count.
I want to thank the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney) for this
Special Order tonight so that we can help America understand the
importance of the census. Those of us who did not return our forms, do
it now, and we say, good for you.
Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I would like to place in the
Record an editorial from March 29 from the Seattle Times Company, and
they write:
The questions provide a telling snapshot of America and
help determine how large pots of tax dollars are spent on
social programs.
Further, they say,
Smile. A big family portrait is being painted with census
numbers. Nothing scary about that.
They go on to encourage everyone to fill out their form.
[From the Seattle Times, Mar. 29, 2000]
Overly Overwrought About the 2000 Census
On any given day, citizens are bombarded with dozens of
legitimate, stress-producing worries. The U.S. Census Bureau,
even its much-maligned long-form questionnaire, ought not be
one of them.
Census questionnaires have been mailed to 120 million
American households. The seven-question short form was sent
to most households; a longer, more-detailed, 52-question form
was delivered to one in six households.
Then the yowling began--The Snoops! The invasion of
privacy!
The complaints are nine parts hype, one part hooey.
Two important developments have occurred since the last
census was taken in 1990. The long form got shorter by four
questions, and talk radio got louder.
In fairness to those with census jitters, more people
nowadays are concerned about personal privacy. Frequent calls
by solicitors and marketing companies wear down a person's
patience and goodwill.
Remember, though, the census is the head count prescribed
by the Constitution.
The people who make money by whipping up fear--and those
who buy into it--substitute paranoia for logic.
The loudest concerns focus on question 31 on the long form,
which asks people to report wages, salaries, commissions,
bonuses or tips from jobs. This is not a scary question. The
federal government, the Internal Revenue Service, already
knows the answer for individuals. The Census Bureau is
looking for data to report in the aggregate.
Before people allow themselves to be whipped into an
unnecessary froth, remember the manner in which the data is
reported. It is much like a series of USA Today headlines,
``We're older,'' ``We're more mobile, more diverse'' and so
on. The census doesn't announce that Joe Dokes at 123 Pine
Street does or says anything. Nor does the Census Bureau
share personal information with other agencies.
The questions provide a telling snapshot of America and
help determine how large pots of tax dollars are spent on
social programs, highways and mass transit, and how
congressional seats are distributed among the states.
Smile. A big family portrait is being painted with numbers.
Nothing scary about that.
Mr. Speaker, my next speaker is a very diligent and outstanding
member of the Subcommittee on the Census, the gentleman from Illinois
(Mr. Davis), who has been a great leader on getting an accurate count.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as I begin, let me just first of
all indicate how delightful it has been to work under the leadership of
two dynamic ladies on this issue, the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs.
Maloney), who is the ranking member on the Subcommittee on the Census,
and the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek), who is the chairperson of
the Congressional Black Caucus's Task Force on the Census.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my colleagues in urging the
America people to fill out their census forms. Do something very
simple: fill the forms out and send them in. Nothing more, nothing
less.
Now, I know that the governor of Texas and others have suggested in
recent days that if you have the long form, then maybe you should not
answer all of the questions. Now, there are some people who might hear
these comments and decide that they should not bother to fill out the
long form. My response to those individuals is that there is too much
at stake for you not to fill them out.
The census, as we all know, is about determining what communities
will revenue schools, new nursing homes, job training centers, help
with transportation infrastructure, and much more. It is about
determining representation and whether or not a State will even gain or
perhaps lose a congressional seat, a seat in the State legislature,
city council, or on the county board. There is simply too much at stake
to risk not filling out the form. Those who would suggest that the
questions are too intrusive already know that this information cannot
be sold or shared with INS or any other investigatory agency.
For example, the question regarding in-home plumbing is asked to
determine how many homes actually have modern plumbing, yet there are
those
[[Page H1666]]
who would suggest that it is too intrusive. Well, it is not too
intrusive if one lives in a community where there are no sewer lines,
where there is no running water, where there is no in-home plumbing.
Plus, they already know that the responses are protected by law.
I would also suggest to people that perhaps the slogan often used by
the Panthers several years ago would be appropriate when they said that
you are either part of the solution or you are part of the problem. If
you do not fill out the form, then I can assure you that you are part
of the problem.
We can ill afford to allow forces opposed to an accurate census count
to suppress the number of people returning their forms. In my own city,
the city of Chicago, we lost millions of dollars in Federal funds as a
result of the 1990 undercount. According to the Census Bureau, at least
10 million people, including at least 113,831, were undercounted in the
State of Illinois, 81,000 in Cook County alone; and 68,000 in the City
of Chicago were not counted. Many of those missed were women and
children who live in minority communities. Because of the undercount,
every Chicago and Cook County citizen was shortchanged, shortchanged on
money to prepare roads, fix bridges; for schools, parks, and job
training. Perhaps the most egregious shortchanging would be that of
political representation.
So when people in powerful positions encourage people to give up
their most basic of all rights, then all of America loses.
So again, I commend the gentlewoman from New York for arranging for
this Special Order. I also want to thank all of my neighbors who are
volunteers, people who are taking it upon themselves to go to the
streets and encourage their neighbors and other people in their
community, to simply fill out the form, send them in, because the
reality is if you are not counted, then you really do not count.
Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to be with my colleagues this evening
on this Special Order.
Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman.
I would like to put into the Record the editorial from the Sacramento
Bee in California. They are very critical of leaders who have come out
against filling out the long census. They state, and I quote: ``How
harmful to this important civic exercise. How irresponsible and
unpatriotic.'' They go on to say, ``With their thoughtless comments,
they feed mindless anti-government sentiment. Do they really think they
can govern better by knowing less about America? They have done a
disservice to the census and to the country.'' I would include that in
the Record at this time.
[From the Sacramento Bee, April 1, 2000]
Trashing the Census: Irresponsible Bush Comments Could Sabotage Count
Just two days ago before Census Day, as U.S. Census Bureau
officials were urging Americans to cooperate in the crucial
once-in-a-decade national count, Texas Gov. George Bush made
their job harder. If he had the long census form, Bush told a
campaign crowd, he's not sure he'd want to fill it out
either. How harmful to this important civic exercise; how
irresponsible and unpatriotic.
Bush's remarks come on the heels of Senate Majority Leader
Trent Lott's advice to his fellow Americans not to answer any
questions on the census long form that they believe invade
their privacy. Taken together, those remarks by the leading
Republican in Congress and the likely Republican presidential
nominee can easily be interpreted as a deliberate attempt to
sabotage the 2000 census. They raise questions about the
integrity of the census that are unwarranted, unfair and
irresponsible.
One in six households receives the census long form. Beyond
the basic eight questions about the number, age, gender and
race or ethnicity of people living in the household, the long
form asks other questions designed to measure the well-being
of Americans, to help government agencies to plan where to
put schools or highways or health funding. Included in the
long forms are 53 questions such as: How many bedrooms in the
house? Has anyone been disabled by health problems in the
last six months? Is there a telephone? What is the income of
the household? Is there indoor plumbing?
By law the responses are strictly confidential. The U.S.
Census cannot share individual household answers with the
IRS, FBI, INS or any other government agency or private
entity.
Moreover, every single question on the long and short forms
is there because of a specific statutory requirement. Most of
these questions have been on the form for decades. The only
new question added since 1990 was put there at the behest of
Republicans in Congress, including Lott. It asks grandparents
whether they are caregivers for their grandchildren. The
wording of each question was reviewed by Congress in 1997 and
1998. Lott, who now raises objections, pushed a resolution
urging the Census Bureau to return to the short form a
question about marital status that it had moved to the long
form.
The census is the law of the land, enacted by the first
Congress. When Bush says he wouldn't fill out the form, he's
saying he's prepared to break the law. When Lott advises
Americans not to answer questions they don't want to answer,
he's telling them to break the law. And although both Lott
and Bush limit their specific objections to the long form,
the impact will inevitably reverberate more widely--to those
who only receive the short form.
In Sacramento, census officials report that the response to
the census is already lagging. Only 39 percent of Sacramento
households have returned the form so far. Every man, woman or
child not counted costs $1,600 in lost federal funds. That's
money that would go to our schools and highways and mental
health and police protection.
Participating in the census is a civic duty, like voting,
serving on juries and defending the country. As duties go,
it's not burdensome; for most people, filing out the long
form is a once-in-a-lifetime chore. With their thoughtless
comments that feed mindless anti-government sentiment--do
they really think they can govern better by knowing less
about America?--Bush and Lott have done a disservice to the
census and the country.
Mr. Speaker, our next speaker is the gentleman from California (Mr.
Baca), who is a new Member, but already a great leader on the census
and other issues.
Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to thank the
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney) for the outstanding job she
has done in leading us, in leading the Nation on what is so important
to all of us and the effect it is going to have on this Nation over the
next decade. It is important for someone to take that leadership role,
and she has taken that role. She has gone out to the various States
telling all of us of the importance of the count. I commend her for her
efforts.
Now, the responsibility is up to us. The responsibility is up to all
Americans. This is not about political wedges, this is about improving
the quality of life.
Some of us like myself who are veterans have to remember that we
serve this country; and veterans have fought so we would enjoy those
freedoms, those freedoms that we have today; and those freedoms meant
the ability to participate in a process. We have a responsibility to
participate in that process. It is our American duty, it is our
American responsibility, it is our civic duty to participate in this
process.
Right now, Mr. Speaker, 53 percent to 56 percent have responded. That
is not enough. I ask the rest of the American people to please respond
to what is important, what will guide this Nation not only now, but in
the future. It is the responsibility of churches, our community
organizations; it is a partnership between business and ourselves to
make sure that everyone counts. If we hear anyone that states not to
turn in the form, not to fill it out, then they are being
irresponsible. They are not doing their civic duties.
We have heard that from former governors that have indicated that,
from other Members that have indicated that. We have to remember what
the real responsibility is. I know, because in California alone, we
have 52 Members that represent us. I have heard most of the
constituents in California talk about the lack of money going back to
the State of California.
{time} 1945
We are all going to fight for monies coming back to the State of
California, and this is another vehicle of getting monies back to
California by ensuring that an accurate count is done, that the Federal
dollars are returned appropriately. If we do an accurate count, then
the monies will be returned back to California.
We lost or have the potential of losing $2.2 billion if we do not get
an accurate count. In my district alone, we lost $50 million over the
last 10 years because an accurate count did not occur.
What does that mean to us? That means that we did not do good data-
gathering, we did not participate in the process. We should have
participated in the process. What does that mean? We did not get the
educational services that we needed, we did not get the health care
that was needed, we did not
[[Page H1667]]
get the special ed that everybody talks about getting, and monies for
construction and education, for our seniors and health centers that is
so important to a lot of us.
It is important that we do that count to make sure that we take care
of every aspect, including transportation and monies in the
infrastructure. If we do not get monies in, what do we look at in
California and the Inland Empire, which has the largest growth in the
area? If we do not do an accurate count, how are we going to get the
money back to our area?
We are asking for funds now. I am fighting and advocating for funds
in that area. If we do an accurate count, at least there will be a pool
of money so we can go back and put it into our area. It is important
that we do that. It is important that we count everyone.
If we look at statistics that were done, African-Americans were
undercounted in our communities. Latinos were undercounted. Asians,
American Indians were undercounted. We have the responsibility that
every American is counted. If we do not, California and the Nation
loses.
I ask everyone to please complete that form. I know that it is easy
to talk about the form being long and extensive, and the questions that
are there. I had the long form. I completed the long form. It is
important for others to do that.
For those who feel they do not know how to fill it out, please call
the Census. Call your congressional office. We know what it means to
the State of California and what it means to the rest of the Nation
when it comes to not only the congressional seats, State senate seats,
assembly seats, local elected positions in our area.
It is not just about that, but it is about what is our civic
responsibility. I want to remind all Americans, and I want Americans to
remember those veterans who have fought for this country to assure that
we enjoy those freedoms; who said, I fought for you to enjoy the
freedoms that you have today. Exercise those rights. If we fail to
exercise those rights, we fail to serve America.
I commend our leader, who has done an excellent job in this endeavor,
to make sure that everybody in the Nation knows how important it is to
all of us. It does not matter whether we are white, whether we are
black, Asian, Native American Indians or Latinos, it is about Americans
and our civic responsibility. It is about this Nation and what we stand
to gain as a whole.
United we will conquer and do what is important for all of us. It is
not about political wedges, it is about inclusion. This is about
including everybody in that process. This is what we stand for,
inclusion of everyone. I ask everyone to be included in this process
and to participate.
Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I refer Members to an
editorial from the New York Times on April 1. In it they criticize the
congressional Republicans for undermining an accurate 2000 Census.
They state, and I quote, ``These comments are irresponsible.
Completing the Census form fully and accurately is not optional; it is
a civic duty that is required by law.''
I include this article for the Record.
The article referred to is as follows:
[From the New York Times, Apr. 1, 2000]
Civic Duty and The Census
Some Congressional Republicans are seriously undermining
the 200 census by suggesting that the national head count,
which officially takes place today, is an invasion of
privacy. That bizarre complaint could discourage the public
from participating in a project that is crucial to the
functioning of state and federal government. The question's
on this year's long census form--including questions on
household income, plumbing facilities and physical
disabilities--have been part of the census for decades. The
only new question asks for information on grandparents who
are caregivers for children. In fact, this year's long form
is the shortest one in 60 years. All answers on census forms
are kept confidential. Yet Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska
has suggested in recent days that people can simply ignore
questions on the long form--which goes to one out of six
American households--that they find intrusive. A spokesman
for Senator Trent Lott, the majority leader, has made
similarly inappropriate suggestions. Gov. George W. Bush of
Texas has said that people should fill out the forms, but
that if he received a long form, he was not sure he would
want to fill it out either. These comments are irresponsible.
Completing the census form fully and accurately is not
optional; it is a civic duty that is required by law. Senator
Hagel now says that he does not want to encourage people to
break the law, but will introduce legislation to make most of
the questions on the long form voluntary.
The federal government has spent billions of dollars trying
to produce an accurate count as response rates have continued
to decline with each decennial count. Accuracy is critical
because the census is used to apportion seats in Congress,
draw legislative districts within the states and distribute
more than $185 billion in federal funds. The government uses
information from the long form of the census to allocate
money to communities for housing, school aid, transportation,
services for the elderly and the disabled and scores of other
programs. The data are also necessary to calculate the
consumer price index and cost of living increases in
government benefits.
When individuals fail to give complete information about
their households, they risk shortchanging their communities
of government aid that they may be entitled to. That is why
many state and local government officials are working hard to
increase census response rates in their communities. The
mindless complaints of some politicians could well sabotage
those efforts.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood), who
is here representing the Asian Pacific American Caucus. Asians were
terribly undercounted in the 1990 Census. The gentleman has been a
leader on this issue.
Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from New York for
yielding to me. I also take the time to honor her and recognize her
tireless efforts on the Census. She has been a force for accurate
counting. She has been a force for inclusion in the most basic American
sense when Americans, all Americans, are counted.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my thanks to all Americans who
have completed their forms so far. All who have performed their civic
duty have been making a difference for their community and setting our
Nation on the the best path for this new century.
For those who have not returned the form and returned the Census
questionnaires, I urge that they do so today.
As reported yesterday, more than 53 percent of all Americans have
completed and sent in their Census forms. This is exciting news, and we
must continue to work together with the Census Bureau, all elected
officials working closely with the Census Bureau, and all elected
officials at all levels of government working closely with the Census
Bureau and with communities and neighborhoods across the Nation to
reach out to the 47 percent of Americans who have yet to complete their
Census questionnaire.
As reported, I represent the Asian Pacific American Caucus. I am
chair of the Caucus for this Congress, and we have certainly been
interested in this issue because we recognize that Asian Americans and
Pacific Islanders were undercounted.
I am pleased to report that in my own home area of Guam, in the 1990
Census, Guam's response rate was over 70 percent in the initial
outreach, and I would have to say that it was one of the highest
response rates in the Nation.
Regrettably, just last week, just days before Census day, we had
Members of Congress and prominent leaders of the Republican party,
people who ought to know better, tell the American public that somehow
or other the Census or parts of the Census were optional. Over 2 years
ago, every Member of Congress received a detailed list of the questions
to be asked on the long form, including a description of the need for
asking these questions and specific legal requirements supporting it,
which Congress itself had passed supporting these questions.
The time for input on the questions was then. The time to achieve an
accurate count is now. The Census Bureau has gone to great effort
within the mandates of Congress to make the forms as brief as possible.
The 2000 Census form, as has already been reported, contains eight
questions, down from nine in 1990. The long form contains 53 questions,
down from 57 in 1990, and is the shortest long form in history.
In this, the Information Age, we need reliable information in order
to make good decisions for this Nation. Without good data, we cannot
administer the laws of this country fairly. Yet, the Governor of Texas,
along with prominent members of the other body, seems to imply that the
Census is optional; that somehow or other people should not have to
answer all of the questions,
[[Page H1668]]
that people only have to obey those parts of the law which requires all
Americans to fill out the Census which they are comfortable with.
Mr. Speaker, that a member of the other body said that he advised
people not to answer questions they do not like, while the Governor of
Texas said that he was not sure that he would fill out the entire
Census form if he had received the long form, these actions are
entirely irresponsible. Instead, Mr. Speaker, we should encourage all
Americans to fill out their forms and to participate in the Census. It
is important to have complete and accurate information about all
Americans.
Even the question on plumbing has been derisively referred to in a
number of media reports, but I want to tell the Members that if they
come from a home without plumbing, it is no joke. We want government
officials to know that there is a pattern of plumbing in our area, and
when we are not hooked to the sewer line, or if we use an outhouse
quite regularly, we want people to know that so government policy-
makers will respond to that reality in a responsible way.
I also want to take the time to thank the Census for the language
assistance, particularly in communities where English is not the normal
language of some people.
Some people say that we do not need to know everything, but I do
think that demographic data is the raw material for making public
policy, and I would rather that we craft a policy based upon knowledge
of our population, rather than one that is based on incomplete
knowledge.
Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I would mention to Members a
Washington Post March 31 editorial.
In this editorial, they call upon all Americans to fill out their
Census form. I quote, ``All kinds of harm will be done if the count is
defective. A politician not seeking to score cheap political points at
public expense might resist the temptation to demagogue, and instead
urge citizens to turn in their forms. But in an election year such as
this, that apparently is too high a standard for some.''
So they are critical of all elected officials that are urging people
not to fill out their forms, that doing so is optional.
Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record this editorial from the
Washington Post:
The editorial referred to is as follows:
[From the Washington Post, Mar. 31, 2000]
Census Bashing
THE CENSUS always produces complaints that an intrusive
government is asking for more information than it has a right
to know. Usually the complaints are scattered and come from
the fringe. But this year some radio talk show hosts have
taken up the issue, and now some national politicians who
otherwise yield to none in insisting on law and order are
telling constituents not to answer questions they feel invade
their privacy.
The Senate majority leader, Trent Lott, is one such. He
believes that people ought to provide ``the basic census
information'' but that if they ``feel their privacy is being
invaded by [some] questions, they can choose not to answer,''
his spokesman says. Likewise Sen. Chuck Hagel, whose ``advice
to everybody is just fill out what you need to fill out, and
[not] anything you don't feel comfortable with.'' Yesterday,
George W. Bush said that, if sent the so-called long form, he
isn't sure he would fill it out, either.
And which are the questions that offend these statesmen?
One that has been mocked seeks to determine how many people
are disabled as defined by law, in part by asking whether any
have ``difficulty . . . dressing, bathing, or getting around
inside the home.'' when it mailed the proposed census
questions to members of Congress for comment two years ago--
and got almost no response--the bureau explained that this
one would be used in part to distribute housing funds for the
disabled, funds to the disabled elderly and funds to help
retrain disabled veterans. Are those sinister enterprises? A
much-derided question about plumbing facilities is used in
part ``to locate areas in danger of ground water
contamination and waterborne diseases''; one about how people
get to work is used in transportation planning. All have been
asked for years.
Earlier this year, Mr. Lott's Senate complained 94 to 0
that a question about marital status had been removed from
the basic census form. That was said to be a sign of
disrespect for marriage. Come on. This is a critical period
for the census. All kinds of harm will be done if the count
is defective. A politician not seeking to score cheap
political points at public expense might resist the
temptation to demagogue and instead urge citizens to turn in
their forms. But in an election year such as this, that's
apparently too high a standard for some.
Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman
from District of Columbia (Ms. Norton), who has been a great leader on
this issue.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, the gentlewoman from New York has devoted
tireless energy well beyond the call of duty to this extraordinarily
important issue, and every American is indebted to her.
Mr. Speaker, I want to devote the few minutes I have to clarifying
some issues.
April 1 has caused some confusion. It was not the deadline for
getting people's form in, of course, it was the target date. The Census
Bureau is still receiving mail. It costs twice as much to send people
out to get the forms, and that is about to happen on April 15.
I had a Census job fair that drew thousands of people here last week,
just so we could get a fair count. The way to save the government
money, however, is, of course, to send it in so it will not cost us the
tremendously extra money it does to send people out.
Irresponsible comments from the Republican majority or members of
that majority may already have cost taxpayers more because it
undermines millions of dollars that have been spent in advertisements
and staff work to get people, to raise the count.
I include for the Record from the Washington Post the chart which
informs people of why the questions are asked and why answering those
questions is so important.
The chart referred to is as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Questions on Federal uses Local impact
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income:
Regarding wages and any Provides a measure Identifies local
other forms of income, of general economic areas eligible for
including through health.. grants for job
public assistance training and other
programs.. employment
programs.
Used to determine Guides funding for
poverty status.. social services
distributed to
local agencies.
Used to assess the
need for various
types of public
assistance.
Mortgage costs:
Regarding mortgage Used by the Needed to evaluate
costs, taxes and other Department of an area's
expenses covered (fire, Health and Human qualification for
hazard and flood Services to assess federal housing
insurance), and amount housing assistance assistance.
of monthly payments.. for elderly,
disabled and low-
income homeowners..
Needed by Department Used as one of the
of Energy to help selection criteria
study energy supply for local urban
and use.. development grants.
Plumbing facilities:
Regarding plumbing Needed by federal Used to allocate
facilities, including agencies to Section 8 and other
hot and cold piped identify areas federal housing
water, flush toilets eligible for public subsidies to local
and a bathtub or assistance governments.
shower.. programs..
Used by public Used by state and
health officials to local agencies to
locate areas in identify poor-
danger of ground quality housing.
water
contamination,
waterborne
diseases..
Disabilities:
Regarding long-lasting Used to distribute Required under
conditions such as funds and develop Housing and Urban
blindness or a hearing programs for people Development Act to
impairment; with disabilities distribute funds
difficulties with and the elderly.. for people with
routine activities such disabilities.
as dressing or bathing;
memory loss..
Needed under the Used by state and
Americans With county agencies to
Disabilities Act to determine eligible
ensure comparable recipients under
public Medicare and
transportation Medicaid programs.
services..
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Speaker, public officials must perform as public officials, not
as right-wing talk show hosts engaging in disinformation and conspiracy
theories. Our job is to get an accurate Census. That is our
constitutional duty.
I am pleased that Senator Lott seemed to back off from his spokesman,
who appeared to indicate that people should not have to answer the
forms. He was a responsible thing for a leader for the majority in the
Senate to do.
Where is Governor Bush, who said he is not sure people should fill
out their forms? Does he know what side his bread is buttered on? Is he
saying the residents are not entitled to all the services and funds
entitled to them?
[[Page H1669]]
What about the large Hispanic population, the highest undercount? What
about his talk about children? Is that just talk, or does he not
recognize that the greatest undercount was among children?
We should be advising the people that it is a violation of law. We
have made it a felony, $5,000 or 5 years, or both. It has never been
used, but it should be reserved for people who knowingly use their high
positions to advocate violation of the law through selective response.
It should be used for people who themselves have confused the American
public, as some public officials have done. It should be used for those
who sabotage the constitutional requirement of an accurate Census.
{time} 2000
Our job is to help people understand why there is a long form; that
they are not being asked these questions as individuals. It does not
matter whether you yourself have indoor plumbing. It is being asked of
you as a representative sample. Nobody can attach that answer to your
name. If you are worried about people divulging information, do not
worry about the census. Worry about the private sector. Worry about
people on the Internet. It is no felony for them to give your name and
address to everybody.
Nobody has ever heard of anybody giving your name, address or
anything else from the census form.
It is cruel, it is cruel, to advise people not to fill in every
answer in the long form. Sure, the government should not know your
business, but your business is not by your name. It allows us to find
essentially what the statistical basis is for the answers you provide.
These answers are worth approximately $700 per person. That is not to
be sneezed at.
A lot of folks have spent a lot of time and more than $6 billion
trying to get an accurate census. It ill behooves Members of this body
to undercut that very important constitutional effort.
____________________