[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 21, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71409-71410]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33071]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Evaluation of the Census 2000 Partnership Program

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 22, 
2000.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5027, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via 
the Internet at LE[email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Sherri Norris, Bureau of the Census, Room BH-120-
2, Washington, DC 20233; (301) 457-8081.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census 2000 Partnership Program works to establish partnerships 
with state, local and tribal governments; private industry; local 
governments and community groups. The goal is to increase the awareness 
of the census and to increase response rates,

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especially among historically undercounted populations.
    The program has both a national and a regional focus. On the 
national level, the program is designed to implement promotional 
activities that may be sponsored and/or supported by national/umbrella 
government and nongovernmental organizations. In addition, the Census 
Bureau will partner with Fortune 500 companies to promote the 
importance of the census through the services and products they 
provide.
    The regional partnership program reflects the Census Bureau's 
belief that the foundation for broad-based participation in the census 
must be built at the community level. Its primary purpose is to 
establish partnerships with state, local, and tribal governments; 
community organizations; businesses and the media.
    The partnership program is a means to encourage mail response by 
those people who are not persuaded by direct mail, advertising or other 
methods. It complements these other methods by spreading information 
about the census, by assuring people that it is okay to participate and 
by providing help if needed.
    For the evaluation, a contractor will be hired to conduct the data 
collection. Self-administered mail questionnaires will be sent to a 
sample of Census 2000 partners. The questionnaire will ask the partners 
about the activities performed for the Census 2000 Partnership Program, 
about the materials they received, and about their recommendations for 
improving the Program. The results will be used to evaluate the 
program, for 2010 planning purposes and to improve future census 
operations.

II. Method of Collection

    Mailed self-administered questionnaire with appropriate follow-up 
reminders.

III. Data

    OMB Number: Not available.
    Form Number: Forthcoming.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals, representatives of the Census 2000 
partnership organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 10,000.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,500.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: There is no cost to the respondent 
other than the time taken to complete the survey.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Sections 141 and 
193.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: December 16, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-33071 Filed 12-20-99; 8:45 am]