[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 3, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H1035-H1037]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         CENSUS AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 1096) encouraging individuals across the United 
States to participate in the 2010 Census to ensure an accurate and 
complete count beginning April 1, 2010, and expressing support for 
designation of March 2010 as Census Awareness Month, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1096

       Whereas the Constitution requires an actual enumeration of 
     the population every 10 years;
       Whereas an accurate census count is vital to the well-being 
     of communities in the United States by helping planners 
     determine where to locate schools, daycare centers, roads and 
     public transportation, hospitals, housing, and other 
     essential facilities;
       Whereas businesses in the United States use census data to 
     support new investments and growth;
       Whereas census data ensure fair Federal, State, and local 
     representation in the United States and help determine the 
     composition of voting districts at each level;
       Whereas census data directly affect how more than 
     $400,000,000,000 in Federal and State funding is allocated to 
     communities for neighborhood improvements, public health, 
     education, transportation, etc.;
       Whereas census data help identify changes in a community 
     and are crucial for the distribution of adequate services to 
     a growing population;
       Whereas the 2000 Census determined the United States had a 
     total population of 281,421,906 and current estimates project 
     the population has grown to 308,573,696;
       Whereas the 2010 Census is fast, safe, and easy to 
     complete, with just 10 questions, and requiring only about 10 
     minutes;
       Whereas the 2010 Census data are strictly confidential and 
     Federal law prevents the information from being shared with 
     any entity;
       Whereas the individual data obtained from the census are 
     protected under United States privacy laws, cannot be 
     disclosed for 72 years, or used against any person by any 
     government agency or court;
       Whereas neighborhoods with large populations of low-income, 
     minority, or rural residents are especially at risk of being 
     undercounted in the 2010 Census;
       Whereas, in the 2000 Census count, Hispanics, African-
     Americans, Asian Americans, and rural Americans were the most 
     difficult to count;
       Whereas the goal of the 2010 Census is to count every 
     person in the United States, including Puerto Rico, American 
     Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin 
     Islands, and any other territory or possession of the United 
     States once, and only once, and in the right place;
       Whereas the goal of the 2010 Census is to eliminate 
     undercounts and overcounts of specific population groups, 
     problems that were apparent in the 2000 Census; and
       Whereas the month of March 2010 would be an appropriate 
     month to designate as Census Awareness Month: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) encourages individuals across the United States to 
     participate in the 2010 Census to ensure an accurate and 
     complete count beginning April 1, 2010;
       (2) urges State, local, county, and tribal governments, as 
     well as other organizations to emphasize the importance of 
     the 2010 Census and actively encourages all individuals to 
     participate; and
       (3) supports the designation of Census Awareness Month.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) and the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. 
McHenry) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and add any extraneous materials.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Massachusetts?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform, I am proud to present House Resolution 1096 for consideration. 
The resolution encourages individuals across the United States to 
participate in the 2010 Census to ensure an accurate and complete count 
beginning April 1, 2010, and it expresses support for designation of 
March 2010 as Census Awareness Month.
  House Resolution 1096 was introduced by my friend and colleague, 
Representative Silvestre Reyes of Texas, on February 23, 2010, and it 
enjoys the support of over 50 Members of Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, article I, section 2 of the United States Constitution 
requires an actual enumeration of the population of the United States 
every 10 years. The Founding Fathers deliberately placed this 
requirement in the Constitution in order to ensure fair and accurate 
Federal, State, and local representation, and the Census serves the 
same purposes today by establishing the composition of voting districts 
at every level of government. Accurate Census data is vital to the 
well-being of every person in the United States.
  Census data directly affects how more than $400 billion in Federal 
and State funding is allocated throughout our Nation. The information 
obtained in the Census assists planners in determining where schools, 
daycare centers, health centers, roads, public transportation, 
hospitals, housing, and other essential infrastructure should be 
located.
  Businesses in the United States use Census data to support new 
investments, and Census data also helps determine how funds are 
distributed to communities for neighborhood improvements in public 
health, education, and transportation initiatives.
  Census data also helps identify changes in community makeup and is 
essential for distribution of adequate services to our continually 
growing population. In fact, the Census currently estimates that the 
U.S. population has increased by over 27 million people since the 2000 
Census.
  The 2010 Census is extremely fast, safe, and easy to complete. It 
consists of just 10 questions and only requires about 10 minutes to 
fill out. 2010 Census data is strictly confidential, and Federal law 
prohibits the personal information from being shared with any entity. 
Individual data obtained from the Census is protected under United 
States privacy laws and cannot be disclosed for 72 years or used 
against any person by any government agency or court.
  Given the ease and safety of the 2010 Census, every person in the 
United States, including individuals in Puerto Rico, American Samoa, 
Guam, the

[[Page H1036]]

Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, and all other U.S. 
territories should also take time to fill out the form and be counted. 
It is especially important that residents of predominantly low income, 
minority, and-or rural neighborhoods participate in the Census because 
these groups are at the center of greater risk of being undercounted in 
the Census. This is extremely troubling considering the fact that the 
Census officials estimate that every individual who is not accounted 
for in the Census loses about $1,500 per year in Federal aid for their 
community. By taking just 10 minutes to complete the 2010 Census form, 
it can help ensure that everyone in America is properly represented and 
eliminate Census overcounts and undercounts.
  Additionally, House Resolution 1096 expresses support for the 
designation of March as Census Awareness Month, which will raise public 
awareness about the importance of completing the Census.
  Mr. Speaker, as Census Bureau Director Robert M. Groves has noted, 
``Taxpayers save $85 million for every 1 percentage point increase in 
the national mail-back participation rate for the 2010 Census.'' With 
this in mind, let me take this opportunity to express my strong support 
for House Resolution 1096, which encourages individuals across the 
United States to participate in the 2010 Census and expresses support 
for designation of March 2010 as Census Awareness Month.
  I urge passage of Mr. Reyes' resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McHENRY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I concur with my colleague and fellow member of the 
Oversight and Government Reform Committee. I rise today in support of 
H.R. 1096, and I am proud to cosponsor this resolution encouraging full 
participation in the 2010 Census and expressing support of the 
designation of March as Census Awareness Month.
  Our Constitution requires that every 10 years the Federal Government 
count every person residing in the United States once, and only once, 
and where they live. As a Nation, we have been doing this every decade 
since our very first Census in 1790. This is not new.
  This week, the Census Bureau will begin the process of delivering the 
2010 questionnaire from the Census all across America. By midmonth, the 
majority of the approximately 120 million households in the United 
States will receive their form by mail or by hand delivery from a 
Census Bureau employee.
  The 2010 questionnaire is the shortest and simplest one the Bureau 
has ever sent out. There are only 10 easy questions that should take 
less than 10 minutes to fill out. And not only is it easy, but it's 
confidential, too. The individual information that respondents provide 
is protected by Federal law and cannot be shared with any other 
government agency.
  Census data guides the distribution of more than $400 billion in 
Federal funds, as my colleague mentioned, directs funds to State and 
local governments each year, and decides the makeup of representative 
districts from the United States Congress on down to the school board. 
Decisions to build new infrastructure such as roads, schools, and 
hospitals are dependent upon population counts derived from the Census. 
When people do not participate in the Census, they only shortchange 
themselves and their communities. A poor response rate means people 
cannot be accurately represented in Federal, State, and local districts 
when they are drawn. It means that a community may lose its fair share 
of Federal and State funding. It means a road that should be built 
won't. A 10-minute response can help avoid 10 years of 
underrepresentation and underfunding.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, this 
very important resolution. The Census only comes around every 10 years. 
We have an obligation, as the people's representatives, to make sure 
that they know that this is going to happen.
  Census day this year is April 1. Every American should get that form 
in the mail or hand-delivered. Simply fill it out, mail it back in, and 
you have done your patriotic duty.
  Every individual in this country should respond. Let me make this 
clear: Every individual in this country should respond. It is a 
wonderful opportunity for you to simply do your patriotic duty. It is 
what the Founders insisted on. In order for us to have a representative 
democracy, we must know who we represent, how many people we represent, 
who's here. And that is our obligation to carry that message out, but 
it is the American people's obligation to share this message as well.
  So with that, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, this 
very important resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate and thank the gentleman from 
North Carolina for his thoughtful remarks and for his support.
  At this point, I would like to yield 5 minutes to the lead sponsor of 
this resolution, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes), the chairman of 
our Intelligence Committee.
  Mr. REYES. I thank the gentleman for yielding time this morning.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1096, which 
designates March, 2010, as the Census Awareness Month. I want to thank 
subcommittee Chair Clay and Ranking Member McHenry for their leadership 
in getting this through committee. I also thank the 59 bipartisan 
Members who co-sponsored this very important resolution.
  I introduced this bill to urge communities across the country to 
raise awareness about the upcoming Census and to encourage individuals 
to fill out their Census form to ensure an accurate and complete count 
beginning April 1.
  Passage of this resolution will help raise awareness of the Census 
and its significance to communities all across the United States. 
Although the Census only happens every 10 years, it is extremely 
important that we get an accurate count because the data derived from 
the Census affects political representation and directs the allocation 
of billions of dollars in government funding.
  Every year, more than $400 billion in Federal funds is awarded to 
States and communities based on Census data. That is more than $4 
trillion over a 10-year period. An accurate Census count is vital to 
U.S. communities because it helps us to plan for new hospitals, new 
schools, and new community projects. It is also used to determine which 
places receive additional social services, including development block 
grants.

                              {time}  1045

  Throughout the years, the goal of the census has remained unchanged--
to count every person accurately and to collect information that will 
help us to better serve the needs of our people. The 2000 census 
counted more than 281 million people.
  The census only takes 10 minutes to fill out, and it is strictly 
confidential. Unfortunately, despite these facts, Hispanics, African 
Americans, Asian Americans, and rural Americans are among those groups 
most likely to be undercounted and to be, thereby, underrepresented.
  I call on our communities--from churches, schools, nonprofits, big 
and small businesses, to local, State and tribal governments--to please 
help us to promote the 2010 Census and to urge everyone to fill out 
their census forms. Together, we can ensure a complete and accurate 
count.
  With that in mind, Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in 
voting in favor of H. Res. 1096.
  Mr. McHENRY. Mr. Speaker, this is not about partisanship. The census 
is important for every community across this country and for every 
State in this Nation. Every individual group within this country has 
something to gain or to lose in this census. It is not simply about how 
districts are drawn. It is about how Federal, State and local money is 
allocated. If you don't respond, if you don't mail your form back in, 
if you don't answer the door when somebody knocks to collect your 
census data, which is very basic information by the way, you are doing 
a disservice to yourself, to your family, to your community, to your 
State, and to your Nation by saying, I don't exist. So it is very 
important for individuals in this country to respond to the census.
  Moreover, it is helpful to see that the President has recorded a PSA, 
encouraging folks to respond to the census. It shows the importance, 
from the White House on down to everyone else, for us to respond to the 
census.

[[Page H1037]]

  Finally, I hope that the 2010 census is the most successful census we 
have ever had in our Nation's history. The Bureau has done a solid task 
of putting together the logistics of getting millions of folks in this 
country to respond to the census. It's a costly endeavor, but it's one 
that the Founders insisted on for us to have a functioning democracy. 
Especially when the House of Representatives is based on population, 
they wanted to make sure that the population count was correct and 
accurate.
  I thank the Bureau and all of the folks who are working all across 
every community in this country. Those folks who are working for the 
Bureau are wonderful, patriotic people, and we want to say thank you 
for your service to your country and to your community.
  With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. I thank the gentleman from North Carolina for his courtesy 
and for his support.
  Mr. Speaker, I do have a copy of the census form here. You can't see 
it, obviously, because of the size of the type, but it's mostly check-
the-box answers. I commend the Census Bureau for simplifying this. As 
the gentleman from North Carolina has stated, it is probably the 
simplest version of the form that we have had in our history.
  I also want to express the concern that we get about 80 to 90 percent 
of the forms back in the mail, and this is the most efficient way and 
the cheapest way to conduct the census. The costly part of the census 
count is in actually going out and knocking on doors and in trying to 
get people to respond who have not responded through the mail. That's 
the costly part. So, to the degree that people can cooperate, can help 
us out and can mail these back, it's a good use of taxpayer money. It's 
much cheaper. So there is a dual purpose.
  Also, as the gentleman from North Carolina mentioned, the allocation 
of resources and the representation aspect of this is very important as 
well.
  We have no further speakers. Just in closing, I would ask Members on 
both sides to support Mr. Reyes in his resolution in supporting the 
census and in designating March as the official Month of the Census.
  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H. Res 1096, a 
resolution introduced by my colleague, Representative Silvestre Reyes, 
which encourages individuals across the country to participate in the 
2010 census to ensure an accurate and complete count beginning April 1, 
2010.
  Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution requires that the 
enumeration of every individual residing in the United States, is taken 
every ten years. This month, every household across the nation will 
have received a 10-question census form known as the Decennial Census.
  The importance of correctly filling out and returning this form 
cannot be overstated. First, data from the Census directly affects how 
more than $400 billion in federal funds are spent, at all levels of 
government, and thus, helps determine how and what resources are 
allocated to a community. Put another way, if our community members 
don't fill out the census, they will find they are not getting funding 
to support their needs. Census data is used to determine which schools 
receive funding for improvements, where new hospitals and roads are 
built, what new maps are needed for first responders, and where 
economic investment should be made.
  Second, the data from the Census dictates how the U.S. House of 
Representatives is reapportioned, how each state is redistricted, and 
how the Electoral College is distributed. I don't need to remind all of 
my constituents of the importance of ensuring they are properly 
represented on the federal, state, and local levels.
  Filling out the Census is fast (taking most just 10 minutes to 
complete), safe (the information is treated by law as confidential) and 
easy to complete (there are just 10, simple questions).
  I hope that elected officials at all levels of government, across the 
country and in Michigan's 15th Congressional District will educate 
their constituents about the importance of completing the 2010 Census, 
and, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues in the House to join me in 
supporting this resolution.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I 
rise today in strong support of this resolution encouraging everyone 
across the United States to participate in the 2010 Census and 
recognizing the month of March as 2010 Census Awareness Month. Since 
1930, we have undertaken the monumental task of counting the total U.S. 
population every 10 years on April 1st. I urge everyone across the 
Nation to join in the count and I applaud the actions of Representative 
Silvestre Reyes from Texas for introducing this resolution.
  Active participation in the 2010 Census is especially important in 
minority communities, which have been historically underrepresented in 
previous counts. It is important that we do all we can to spread the 
word about the upcoming census count in these groups. In the year 2000, 
3 million of our friends, family and neighbors were not included in the 
census count. We can no longer afford such oversights which prevent 
these individuals and their communities from receiving funding. This 
count affects more than $400 billion in Federal and State funding for 
public investments, hel planners across the Nation in determining the 
location of schools, hospitals and senior citizen centers, and assists 
in determining the makeup of local and national voting districts.
  Mr. Speaker, fewer things in life are easier than filling out census 
forms. Answering these 10 questions is vital to attaining an accurate 
count of the American people. Let's go to work and make sure that 
everyone is counted.
  I urge my colleagues to support its passage.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1096, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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