[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 34 (Wednesday, March 10, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         CENSUS AWARENESS MONTH

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                               speech of

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 3, 2010

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, the beginning of March marks the 
one-month process of one of the most important collective actions that 
our country partakes in, the national Census. Thus I want to express my 
support to House Resolution 1096, deeming this month designated as 
Census Awareness Month. The Census provides an opportunity to not only 
count how many people live in our great nation, but to also collect 
valuable data that will help to provide services to millions of 
Americans. According to information collected from the Census, over 
$400 billion per year in federal funding is distributed to State and 
local governments. As a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, I 
want to ensure that all African Americans are counted as the Census has 
significant importance in the black community. The implementation and 
evaluation of programs like the Equal Employment Opportunity Act, the 
Civil Rights Act and the Fair Housing Act are based on Census data. In 
2007 the Black community grew to 40.7 million from 33.5 million in the 
year 2000. Underrepresentation of minorities is the leading cause of 
underfunding programs that these communities utilize the most, such as 
education, health care, housing and transportation programs.
  The myths that further discourage people from participating in the 
Census must be dispelled. The Census is not a long process; there are 
merely 10 questions to answer, making it the shortest Census form in 
history. By law the Census Bureau cannot share individual responses 
with anyone; that includes immigration authorities, IRS, FBI, CIA or 
any other government agency. The U.S. Census preferred method of 
participation is through forms sent through mail and returned through 
mail and Census workers will only visit households that do not return 
their forms. This snapshot of our nation also effects Congress itself; 
the distribution of U.S. House of Representative seats are based on the 
Census. In order to have proportional representation as well as 
programs and funding that directly serve the American people, everyone 
must participate in the 2010 United States Census. Underrepresentation 
of our population must be avoided; thus from March to April, I urge 
everyone to go to www.census.gov to find out more on how you can be 
involved in the 2010 U.S. Census.

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