    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [April 1, 2000]
    [Pages 587-588]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 587]]

    The President's Radio Address
    April 1, 2000

        Good morning. Today I want to speak with you about an opportunity to
    shape the future of our country, and a responsibility we all have to
    make our voices count. I want to talk about this year's census and the
    importance of filling out and sending in your census form right away.
        The Constitution mandates that our Nation conduct a census every 10
    years. The first was taken back in 1790 and was directed by Thomas
    Jefferson when he served as Secretary of State. Every decade since then,
    the census has helped tell the story of America--who we are and what
    we're becoming.
        Census 2000 is our chance to write the latest chapter in the
    unfolding epoch of America. Even though the census is taken only once in
    a decade, it has an impact on our lives every day. A report I'm
    releasing today by the Council of Economic Advisers shows just how much
    we need the census.
        We need the census to help decide how almost $200 billion in Federal
    funds will be invested in States and communities. We need the census to
    draw legislative district lines and allocate seats for each State in the
    U.S. House of Representatives. We need the census to help our hometowns
    determine where to build everything from roads to schools to hospitals
    to child care centers. And we need the census to help businesses make
    decisions about where to invest and help individuals make informed
    decisions about where to buy a home or take a job.
        For all of these reasons, it's important to make sure the first
    census of the 21st century is fair, accurate, and complete. After all,
    if we want to make good decisions about where we need to go as a nation,
    we first have to know where we are.
        In the last census, we didn't know where more than 8 million people
    were. They were left uncounted. Many of them were children, minorities,
    and low income families. When people are uncounted, their voices are
    unheard in the Halls of Congress and in their own communities.
        Those who suggest that filling out your census form isn't essential
    are plainly wrong. An inaccurate census distorts our understanding of a
    community's needs, denies people their fair share of resources, and
    diminishes the quality of life not only for them but for all of us. If
    we believe everybody in our American community counts, we simply must
    make sure everyone is counted.
        That's an enormous undertaking. This year's census represents the
    largest peacetime mobilization in American history, involving hundreds
    of thousands of local census takers and community volunteers. But the
    most important person in the process is you.
         I want to thank the millions of Americans who have sent in their
    forms. As of today, we're halfway there. But we must do better. We need
    the most accurate picture of America in the dawn of the 21st century.
        So today I'm issuing a proclamation declaring this Census Day and
    urging all Americans to take a little time this weekend to fill out and
    send in your form. I've also issued a memorandum to all Federal
    employees urging them to do the same. Having completed our census form,
    I can tell you it only takes a few moments.
        You can also fill out your census form on-line, as the Vice
    President did just recently. The on-line
    form can be found at www.2000.census.gov. It won't take long. The short
    form is the shortest since 1820. The long form is the shortest in
    history. And every question on both forms was reviewed by Congress 2
    years ago.
        But more important, information from the long form is critical for
    everything from helping communities design mass transit systems to
    providing 911 emergency services. It also helps us calculate cost-of-
    living increases for Social Security, military retirement, and veterans'
    pensions.
        I know Americans are concerned about their privacy, and that's why I
    also want to stress that the information you provide is strictly,
    absolutely confidential. Individual information will not be available to
    anyone outside the Census Bureau for any reason.
        So whether you have a long or a short form, please fill it out
    completely and send it in promptly. America is counting on you. This is
    your future. Don't leave it blank.
        Thanks for listening.

    [[Page 588]]

    Note: The address was recorded at 12:38 p.m. on March 31 in the Map Room
    at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on April 1. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    March 31 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The
    proclamation is listed in Appendix D at the end of this volume.