[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.
____________________