[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 169 (Friday, December 7, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S12683]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. STEVENS (for himself and Mr. Inouye):
  S. 1784. A bill to provide that all American citizens living abroad 
shall (for purposes of the apportionment of Representatives in Congress 
among the several States and for other purposes) be included in future 
decennial census of population, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Governmental Affairs.
  Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I thank Senator Inouye for joining me 
today in introducing an important piece of legislation, the Full 
Equality for Americans Abroad Act. This legislation directs the 
Secretary of Commerce to ensure that all American citizens living 
abroad be included in each future decennial census for the purposes of 
the tabulations required for the apportionment of Representatives in 
Congress. The Secretary of Commerce will report its findings to 
Congress no later than September 30, 2002.
  Americans living abroad play an important role in shaping the World's 
view of our country. As the trade becomes more and more global, 
Americans living abroad will have an even larger role in the exports 
overseas that help our Nation's economy. They vote and pay taxes in the 
United States, yet they are not included in the census. They spread the 
seeds of democracy in areas throughout the world and help to promote 
the value of freedom that Americans hold so dear. We count the men and 
women of the Armed Services and other government employees who serve 
this country abroad, it is time that we count private citizens living 
abroad as well.
  I commend Representative Gilman for his work on this issue in the 
House and look forward working with my colleagues in the Senate to pass 
this important legislation.
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