H1990 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 10, 2000 CENSUS DAY PLUS 10 ceived a detailed list of the questions proud to represent. The editorial is as The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under to be asked, including a description of follows: the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- the need for the asking of it, along STAND UP AND BE COUNTED uary 6, 1999, the gentlewoman from with the specific legal requirements That’s the slogan of Census 2000, and no- where is that cry more urgent than in New New York (Mrs. MALONEY) is recog- supporting it. Notification of Congress is required York. Last time around—10 years ago—New nized for 60 minutes as the designee of Yorkers sat down. There was an undercount. the minority leader. by title 13 for a very good reason, to prevent the very situation we face And the state lost out on everything from Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. political representation to new schools. New Speaker, this is census day plus 10. My today, a census effort at risk because York, particularly New York City, must not message to the American people is, if Members of Congress simply do not let this happen again. they have not already filled out their know or do not care about the impor- The filing deadline came and went April 1. form, please do so now and mail it in. tance of the census data. But the ‘‘Be counted’’ Web site doesn’t shut down until tomorrow. So if you haven’t re- Be part of this great civic ceremony. Members of Congress received this information with all of the questions in turned your census form, take a few minutes As of today, over 61 percent of Ameri- (or a few seconds, if you have the eight-ques- cans have responded to the census, 1997 and 1998. I know that all of the tion short form) and do so. Now. with 39 percent to go. This is a criti- Members who are complaining about And, please, try not to get your dander up cally important milestone for the 2000 the census got a copy. Did they not about how nosy some of the questions seem Census, and I am extremely encouraged read their mail? The time for input on to be. Answers on how you get to work and what time you leave each morning, for exam- by the American people’s effort and by the questions was then, not now when they will do more harm than good. ple, can be used by local officials for highway the Census Bureau’s transparent tab- and mass-transit improvements. Nobody’s ulation efforts. Just months ago, the Even last week, the Republican lead- tracking your movement. Other answers will General Accounting Office warned that ership convened a press conference sup- aid in planning for health, housing, edu- the initial response rate for the 2000 posedly in support of the census. But cation, employment, police and so forth. As Census might peak at 61 percent. Well, they went on to urge Americans to for those racial-identification categories, with 8 days still to spare, the 2000 Cen- skip questions they were uncomfort- just follow the Census Bureau’s advice: Put down whatever race or ethnicity you identify sus has reached this point and forms able with. Maybe the Republican lead- ership should be reminded that the with. It’s simply a part of drawing an accu- continue to flow in daily. rate population profile in this multicultural I am extremely heartened by the re- questions asked by the census rep- nation. sponse thus far, and tonight I say to resent a balance between the needs of So far, returns here are hovering about the remaining 39 percent, please com- our Nation’s communities and the need 55%—with some areas (like central Brook- plete your forms. Do it today. Put it in to keep the time and effort required to lyn, with a dismal 37%) considerably lower. complete the form to a minimum. Only A study by Price Waterhouse Coopers after the mail. As always, this is our main the 1990 census determined that New York message. Fill out your form today. information required by Congress to State was undercounted by 277,000 resi- Unfortunately, we have reached 61 manage or evaluate programs is col- dents—245,000 of them in New York City. percent despite the amazing comments lected by the census. That cost the city three Assembly seats, a of some of my Republican colleagues Federal and State funds for schools, state Senate seat and half a congressional and even Members of the Republican employment services, housing assist- seat. As Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D–Queens), the leadership. With 39 percent of the ance, road construction, day care fa- cilities, hospitals, emergency services, ranking member of the House census sub- American people still not heard from, committee put it: ‘‘It’s your future, don’t we have Members of Congress who programs for seniors, and much more leave it blank.’’ are distributed based on census figures. should all know better telling the Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield to Also, the Census Bureau uses data ac- American people that the census is op- the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. quired from the long form to establish tional. We have Members of Congress SCHAKOWSKY), an outstanding leader the baseline for many of the economic saying that they, and I quote, ‘‘believe and actually a new Member of Con- reports they release year-round, in- in voluntarily cooperating,’’ end quote, gress, representing the City of Chicago. cluding data on the Consumer Price with the government; but beyond that She has been very active on the Sub- Index and unemployment. Without ac- they will not follow the law. Since committee on Census and has worked curate data, we would be forced to when did following the law in this very hard to bring up participation. country become a voluntary, optional manage our economic policies with Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I thing? even less information than we cur- would like to thank the gentlewoman rently have available. b 1930 from New York for her tremendous We should remember that the Census leadership on assuring a complete Others have compared the long form Bureau has gone to great efforts to count of all Americans. to a college exam where some ques- make both the short and long forms as I wish I could be as optimistic. Unfor- tions can be skipped. Is it because some brief as possible. The 2000 Census short tunately, in the city of Chicago, we are people do not know the answers? I cer- form contains eight questions, down 10th out of the 10 largest cities in the tainly hope not. Do they want partici- from nine in 1990. The 2000 Census long response to the census so far. My hope pation, or do they want to make par- form contains 53 questions, down from is that all responsible elected leaders ticipation optional? 57 in 1990, the shortest long form in will be encouraging people from our Last week, Census Director Ken decades. States, from our cities and commu- Prewitt testified that the initial re- The only new question in the census, nities to fill out that census form. sponse rate for the long form has been which was added with my support as I have heard a lot of political pan- almost 12 percent below the response part of welfare reform, asked for infor- dering, we all have in our days, but rate for the households receiving the mation on grandparents as care givers. rarely have I heard anything quite as short form. This is almost double the I am a bit confused, too, because the irresponsible as the trashing that is differential from the 1990 census and same people who today are making going on of the census long form. One could seriously threaten the accuracy such a fuss over the long form just 6 would think that some of those elected of the final count. months ago tried to add a question to officials who are doing it, Members of What is really disheartening is the the short form which everyone has to this body on the Republican side of the fact that most of the questions on the complete. aisle who are doing that, one would long form have been around for dec- I have a series of editorials from think that they had never seen that ades. They were part of the Bush and around the country urging Americans form before. Reagan census. Even more astonishing to stand up and be counted for their As the gentlewoman from New York about this new-found concern about communities, for their representation, (Mrs. MALONEY) pointed out, every sin- the census is that, over 2 years ago, the for their distribution of Federal funds. gle Member was able to scrutinize content of the long and short forms, I would like to put in the RECORD an every single question. As a con- while they were being finalized, abso- editorial from the Daily News from sequence, we came up with a form, a lutely every Member of Congress re- New York City, the city that I am long form that is, in fact, shorter than

VerDate 20-MAR-2000 03:28 Apr 11, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K10AP7.098 pfrm02 PsN: H10PT1 April 10, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1991 it was in 1990 and adds only one ques- tax dollars to Washington, what do I tant to my community of Norwalk and tion. All of us are interested in know- get back, am I getting my fair share?’’, to my surrounding communities, that I ing how many grandparents now are if they have not filled out the census be a responsible citizen and complete taking care of children. We hear that form, then that is not an appropriate and return my census form. all the time from our constituents. question, because if they do not fill out An important fact to remember, They had total control over what was this form, then they will not be count- whether one is filling out the long form going to be in there. There were no ed. or the short form is that one’s re- complaints in 1990 from them. So I join my colleagues in urging all sponses are confidential. The informa- How long does it take to get to work? Americans to get this census form in. tion one gives is not, I repeat, it is not People say, oh, why do you have to They have got a few more days to do it. sold to marketing firms. It is not hand- know that? Well, why does one think I encourage my colleagues, Mr. Speak- ed over to the IRS, nor to the INS, nor that we want to know that, so that we er, to inform their constituents about to the FBI. In fact, it is against the law can understand where we need trans- the importance. for the Census Bureau to give or sell portation dollars. Do we need a new Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. information to anyone. That is includ- road? Do we need more transit to Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman ing this House. The law works. In the shorten that time? Do we need more af- from California (Mrs. NAPOLITANO), an- last census of 1990, not one single case fordable housing so that people can live other leader for a complete count. of information leaking occurred. near the jobs? Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I The Census Bureau has gone to great Employment questions. What is this certainly want to add to the comments effort within the mandates of Congress new economy about? Let us use the that my colleagues have made in just to make the forms as brief as possible. census to understand that better. Is the last few minutes. But I, most of all, The 2000 Census short form contains our prosperity really being shared? Are want to thank everyone who has com- eight questions, down from nine in there more people who are working for pleted their census form so far. Wher- 1990, and the long form contains 53, themselves, and are they making a de- ever you are, whether you are an down from 57 in 1990, the shortest form cent living when they are working at American citizen, a recent immigrant in history. home? or whoever, you are making a dif- The Census Bureau uses long form In Illinois, in the Chicago area, in ference for your community and set- data as a baseline. That means the bot- Cook County, we undercounted enough ting our Nation on the best path for tom line for every single economic in- children in 1990 to fill 78 schools. That the new century. dicator they publish. Without this ac- is why we need an accurate count, so For those of you who have not yet curate baseline, we cannot produce any that we can make sure that we get the filled out and returned your census economic information needed to run educational opportunities to our kids. questionnaires, please, you have 10 our Nation’s economy effectively, to Now, one listens to John Stossel on days to finish. Do it today. Do it now. identify the areas in need, and take on 20/20 last Friday night, and one would Do it this very minute. It is not too other indicators to be able to help our think that the census is simply a tool late. communities. of big government, in fact, he said a As of last night, over 60 percent of We need a more accurate count of government that is selling dependency, Americans have completed and sent in America’s blacks, America’s Hispanics, that is his word, that is what the cen- their census form. This is very exciting America’s Asians, and American Indi- sus is about in his conspiratorial tone. news. But we must keep working with ans. Regardless of what my colleagues But who really is using this census the census, with our communities, with on the other side, regardless of their data? I would posit that ABC, the very our neighborhoods across the Nation to arguments or what they state, for us, it station he was on, that 20/20 probably reach out to the remaining 40 percent is not optional. For us, it is a neces- uses the census data to figure out who of Americans who have yet to return sity. the audience is, where to sell adver- their census questionnaire. Republicans have done everything tising. The private sector surely as As we have heard, 61 percent return possible to harm Census 2000 effort. We much as the public sector uses the cen- has already been received. In my dis- must not fall for their rhetoric. This sus data to figure out where invest- trict alone, 68 to 71 percent of the peo- latest effort to paint questions which ments should be made, where are we ple in the 34th Congressional District had been on the long form for over 50 going to put our money in commu- have completed and returned their cen- years as intrusive and unneeded is just nities, who is living out there. sus form. The City of Norwalk com- another attempt to derail the accurate This is not a conspiracy of govern- pleted 71 out of 78 percent targeted; count of census. ment. This is a partnership with the Whittier, 70 out of 72; Montebello, 70 To the people in my district, to the people of the United States so that we out of 73; Pico Rivera, 68 out of 77 per- people of the United States and across can distribute public dollars and pri- cent; Santa Fe Springs, 71 out of 78 per- this great land of ours, I ask that they vate dollars. cent; Industry, 69 out of a targeted 33 please remember how important it is to We need to be doing the census form percent; and La Puente, the best in the their community, to our community. for ourselves. This is not a favor to area, 70 percent out of a targeted 67. So I plea again, please complete and re- anybody. This is going to bring results They have overpassed their target. turn your census form. to every single community. There is This is better than the anticipated rate Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. not a district in this country that will out of California and nationwide. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman not be better served if there is a com- However, there are a lot of people from Florida (Mrs. MEEK), a great lead- plete count. that still have to be counted. If 30 per- er on a complete count. She even So for any politician to get up and cent of our people go uncounted, that hosted a public hearing in her district pander and say, oh, you do not have to is 30 percent less money to pay for and has been a leader here on the floor fill this out, it is really intrusive, is schools. That is less money for repair- and in the committee work, and I wel- counterproductive for their own con- ing our roads, for funding hospitals, for come here tonight. stituents. Leadership is about explain- providing services to our senior citi- b ing to constituents why this is impor- zens and for our recreational programs 1945 tant, why it is in their interest to fill for our youth. Mrs. MEEK of Florida. I thank my it out. When people complain, we en- Now, we all know that some people dear colleague, the gentlewoman from courage them to understand what the have had difficulties with our census New York. The gentlewoman from New real meaning of this complete count is. forms, especially the long form which York (Mrs. MALONEY) hails from New I am so proud to join with the gentle- asked 53 questions. Some people find York, but her influence on the census woman from New York in her work and some of those questions intrusive and has gone throughout this country, and so many of us who are trying every sin- awkward. Personally, I question the we thank her for that leadership. gle day to make sure that the people in way in which the form asked about my Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to come this country get what they deserve. race and my ethnicity. But what I do back again tonight. If the gentlewoman Anyone who has ever said, ‘‘I send my not question is that it is vitally impor- were to call us in tomorrow, if she were

VerDate 20-MAR-2000 03:00 Apr 11, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K10AP7.100 pfrm02 PsN: H10PT1 H1992 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 10, 2000 to call us in every day this week, I So it is irresponsible and irrational, was here, however, and I will submit would be here, because we do not have as far as I am concerned, to tell people her statement later for the RECORD. enough voices speaking out for the cen- that it is optional; that they should Another colleague from Texas, how- sus. not fill out all the forms or they should ever, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Regrettably, we have had some ill not fill out any of the forms. The time STENHOLM), is here. This Member holds winds. They came in during the Ides of has come now. We have been talking many leadership positions in this body. March and they are still here, they are about the census, and the gentlewoman He is the ranking member on the Com- still talking. We are trying our very from New York has led this thing nota- mittee on Agriculture and is the policy best to say to the country that the cen- bly and with great merit throughout chair of the Blue Dogs, in addition to sus is a good thing. It is in the Con- this process. It is time now that our being a leader in this body on getting a stitution. It is something that we people step up to the plate. complete and accurate count during should do. We keep talking about we They will not be able to talk, the the census. are a Nation of laws. Well, if that is the pundits will not be able to talk about Mr. STENHOLM. Mr. Speaker, I case, why can we not stick to our laws? government does not do what it is sup- thank the gentlewoman from New Let us not just use them when they are posed to do. They are the first to criti- York for yielding to me to talk tonight customized to fit our political ideas, cize government. They say government about the general subject we have al- but to use them at all times. is not doing what it should do. Govern- ready heard our colleagues from Cali- It is extremely disappointing to see ment wants to do it. It is a good thing fornia and Florida speaking about, and some of my good friends in the Repub- if people go out and turn in their cen- that is encouraging, Mr. Speaker, en- lican Party saying to all of our con- sus form. couraging all Americans to fill out the stituents that the census is optional; Now, I am a little embarrassed be- form and to send it in. that they do not have to fill out all the cause the governor of my State has I guess one of my disappointments questions; that it is not mandatory; come out saying, ‘‘I take the same po- tonight is that we do not have the time that citizens do not have to do this. sition as other Republicans do.’’ Well, equally divided between Democrats and Well, it is. It is important that all of it is not a good idea, Mr. Governor, to Republicans so that we might all stand our constituents fill out the census say that you take that same position up tonight and encourage people to fill forms. and that it is optional. Florida now has out the forms and to send them in, in- Now, it is not too late. We do not 23 representatives in this Congress. If stead of some divided voices that we have the return I would like to see in our people do not go out and be count- have been hearing from lately, Mr. my district. We have, like, 53 percent. ed, Mr. Governor, you may not have 23 Speaker. I think that is not in the best I would like to see 66, 76, 90 percent re- Congresspersons another year from interest of this House of Representa- tives. I hope that we, under the Speak- turn. But we still have time. We are now. still going to churches; we are going to So we are saying to all the people, er’s leadership, will find ways to en- wherever people congregate and saying support the census. Fill out the forms. courage all Americans to return their to them, fill out the forms. For those It is not a cursory thing; it is not census forms. As we have already heard, current who have not filled theirs out yet, something that is fly by night and you figures indicate that 61 percent of all please fill it out and return it. We are can just flippant say, oh, no, we are not citizens have returned their forms. doing our very best to help. going to do it. It is important. Not This is good news. But that means 39 I am just really astounded to see that only does the lifeblood of your commu- our most noble elevated body, the Sen- percent have not. In Texas, unfortu- nity depend on it, your roads, your nately, we are running a bit behind the ate, passed a Sense of the Senate Reso- transportation, and your representa- national average. As of last night, 57 lution essentially reinforcing the idea tion. percent of Texans have responded. that not completing your form is okay. And particularly poor people and un- I want to single out a few counties in This is completely unacceptable. It is derserved people. My voice goes out to my district back home that are not completely irresponsible. The Senate them every time I stand up. Turn the doing as well as California was doing a should set a standard for the country forms in. You will probably benefit moment ago, but we are exceeding the instead of undermining an effort which from it more than a lot of other people national averages: Hood County, Tay- this Congress has seen fit to partici- because you depend on government for lor County, Tom Green County, and pate in. most of your basic services. Go to it; Young County. So to those people liv- Now, this thing about the questions, turn in those forms. If you need help, ing in towns like Granbury and Tolar, maybe we should not have to go over call the Census Bureau. If you need and Abilene and Merkel, and San An- that over and over again because the help, call your local Congressperson; gelo and Graham and Olney, I com- questions are there and they are not wake them up. They are the ones de- mend you and encourage you to con- that hard. They are only asking those pending on this count as well as you tinue to publicize and to work to see kind of questions every 10 years. Amer- are. that your neighbors in fact send their icans are used to answering questions, So I do hope that everyone within forms in. particularly questions that will lead to the sound of our voices tonight will go It is all the more important for peo- good representation in their commu- out and be counted. The ball is in their ple in rural areas to respond to the cen- nity. It is going to lead to a good court. sus. In 1990, the census missed approxi- school board member, it will lead to ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE mately 1.2 percent of all rural resi- some good elected representatives, it The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. dents. We must have an accurate count will lead to some good Congress per- SHIMKUS). The gentlewoman will sus- for rural America also in order that we sons. Now, that is not a trivial thing. pend. might receive our fair share of rep- But there are some radio announcers The Members will be reminded that resentation and tax dollars. and disk jockeys and pundits in this it is not in order to characterize Sen- It is very disturbing to me when I country who are making that just a ate action, nor is it in order during de- look at my rural district and see that trivial thing. It is not trivial when it bate to specifically urge the Senate to when we get outside of the more popu- affects your elected representatives take certain action. lated counties that I mentioned, that that will go into a governing body and Members will be also reminded that we are way behind in our response rate. represent you. People keep saying, We they should make their comments to This is disturbing and something that I don’t have a voice. You do have a the Chair and not to the listening or hope we will in fact be counting soon. voice. Be counted and you will have a the viewing audience. The editors of the San Angelo Stand- voice, because there will be enough of The gentlewoman may proceed. ard Times wrote about the importance you to say, yes, we do deserve another Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. of responding to the census in their Congressperson in our area; yes, we do Speaker, another of our colleagues, the March 15 editorial whey they wrote: deserve another State representative in gentlewoman from the great State of Texas probably lost a congressional seat in our area; yes, we do deserve another Texas (Ms. JACKSON-LEE), had a con- 1990 because an estimated 483,000 Texans ei- school board member. flict and could not stay with us. She ther refused to be counted or were missed by

VerDate 20-MAR-2000 03:00 Apr 11, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K10AP7.102 pfrm02 PsN: H10PT1 April 10, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1993 census takers. The State also lost nearly $1 purpose was to ensure proper representa- cans for what she has done. I really do billion Federal funding, which is the other tion—that is, since congressional seats are appreciate it. primary purpose of the census now, to deter- apportioned based on population, it was nec- I also want to take a moment to rec- mine how much money each State will re- essary to know how many people lived in ognize the gentlewoman from Florida ceive for roads, education, health care and each state to determine how many represent- (Mrs. MEEK), who just spoke. She has other programs. atives it would send to the U.S. House of brought this matter to the attention of Mr. Speaker, I would provide the full Representatives. Texas probably lost a congressional seat in the African American people over and text of the editorial for the RECORD. 1990 because an estimated 483,000 Texans ei- over again. It has been a major, major Now, I know there are some citizens ther refused to be counted or were missed by concern of the gentlewoman from Flor- that are concerned about the long census-takers. The state also lost nearly $1 ida, and I want to thank her. form. The data is extremely important billion federal funding, which is the other This morning, Mr. Speaker, I visited to administering Federal programs, ev- primary purpose of the census now—to deter- Windsor Hills Elementary School, and erything from housing programs and mine how much money each state will re- this is a school in my district which community development grants to ceive for roads, education, health care and has a number of young people who are highways, education and health care. other programs. in special education, beneficiaries of The Census Bureau uses long-form data Both arguments for participating matter Title I funds. in San Angelo and Tom Green County as I watched those little children as as a baseline for every single economic well. The local share of funding is lost for indicator. Without an accurate base- each person who fails to respond to the cen- they put their hands up to their hearts line, we cannot produce the economic sus. And with West Texas being tremen- and said, ‘‘I pledge allegiance to the information to better serve our citi- dously outgrown by the rest of the state, our flag of the United States of America zens. clout in this part of the state is diminished and to the republic,’’ and I watched The San Angelo Standard Times edi- with each person that is missed. them as they talked about this one Na- tors hit on this point as well when they For the first time, a local committee will tion under God. As I watched them, I wrote: undertake an aggressive outreach effort to thought about a great writer who once try to limit the number of people who fall said, ‘‘Our children are the living mes- It is helpful to have a detailed snapshot of through the census cracks. Plans call for the country and the conditions its citizens sages we send to a future we will never having offices where people can go to get see,’’ and I could not help but think are living in, because such information can help in filling out their census forms, and in- be useful to policymakers. While it may be terpreters will be available for those newer about the census, because the census annoying, there is no real down side. All cen- arrivals who need assistance. affects them. It will affect them for the sus information is confidential and by law It’s unfortunate that the Census Bureau next 10 years. cannot be shared either with other govern- got off to a bad start, putting an extra digit The fact is those first graders will, in ment agencies or private entities. on addresses for letters that went out re- the future, 10 years from now, be 11th I think the important thing to point cently informing people that their forms graders. The question is how will they out to our constituents is the extensive would be arriving and erroneously sending have benefited from our actions or fail privacy constraints that we, the Con- out some information in foreign languages to benefit from our inactions? Still, that doesn’t alter the importance of gress, have imposed on the census. b 2000 Anyone who violates the law and dis- filling out and returning the forms, which, when compiled, will tell much about the na- closes any individual household data Sadly, we have Members of Congress tion at the turn of the century. and prominent leaders of the Repub- will be subject to 5 years in prison and Some 15 million homes will receive the $5,000 in fines. The Census Bureau has a lican party telling the American public long form, which does take longer to fill out that the census is optional. I could not great track record of protecting this (about 38 minutes, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates) and does ask some questions that believe that. data. In 1990, millions of questionnaires On Friday, the Senate passed a sense were processed without any breach of will cause many to wonder why they are nec- essary. of the Senate resolution essentially re- trust. inforcing the idea that not completing So, in conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I The answer is that it is helpful to have a detailed snapshot of the country and the one’s form is okay. It is not. want to encourage all Americans, and conditions its citizens are living in, because Further, Republican Presidential in particular my constituents in west such information can be useful to policy- Nominee, Governor Bush has sided Texas, who have not returned their makers. While it may be annoying, there is with the Republican majority in Con- census forms to send them in today. It no real downside—all census information is gress that has objected to the use of is not too late. You deserve to be confidential and by law cannot be shared ei- modern scientific methods to provide counted, and it is in your community’s ther with other government agencies or pri- accurate census data. vate entities. best interest and it is in our Nation’s ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE best interest that we count every indi- Consider it a civic duty that pays divi- dends—and that only has to be performed The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. vidual citizen of America so that our once every decade. SHIMKUS). The gentleman must be re- representation in this body and in the minded not to characterize Senate ac- State legislatures around the country Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his tions. will be based on the most accurate in- The gentleman may proceed. formation. statement, and I would now like to Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, as a Mr. Speaker, I yield back to the gen- yield to the gentleman from Maryland candidate for the presidency, his oppo- tlewoman from New York and submit (Mr. CUMMINGS). He represents the 7th sition to using modern scientific meth- herewith the text of the article I re- Congressional District in Maryland. ods sends a strong message that has ferred to above: The gentleman from Maryland chairs outreached a minority community the Complete Count Committee for [From the San Angelo Standard Times, Mar. those traditionally undercounted is not 15, 2000] Baltimore and has served on really the genuine. oversight committee for the census, TAKE TIME TO FILL OUT CENSUS It is unfortunate but not surprising the Committee on Government Reform QUESTIONNAIRE that compassionate conservatism does and Oversight, and I thank him for his Some West Texans already have received not include the community I represent. their 2000 census forms, and the rest will be leadership on this issue. Currently, Baltimore City has a dismal receiving them in the coming days. Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I want 48 percent response rate. The target Those who are ambivalent about filling out to thank the gentlewoman for all that was 68 percent. Despite our best efforts, the forms need to remember a couple of she has done. Ever since the sub- we cannot improve this rate nor ensure things: There are many reasons to partici- committee was first formed, I remem- a complete and accurate census when pate and, aside from the time it takes, not a ber that she made it clear that she was constituents are bombarded with mes- single reason not to. And considering that going to do everything in her power to sages from elected officials that they the short form—which will go to 80 percent make sure that we had a complete of households—takes only about 10 minutes do not have to fill out the form. to complete, the time argument doesn’t hold count, and she has continued to do I urge naysayers to stop spreading much water for most people. that. I really thank her not just on be- these negative messages and encourage The census has occurred once each decade half of the Congress of the United residents to fulfill their civic duty by since the country’s beginning. Originally the States of America but for all Ameri- completing and returning their census

VerDate 20-MAR-2000 03:38 Apr 11, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K10AP7.104 pfrm02 PsN: H10PT1 H1994 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 10, 2000 forms. A complete and accurate Census spondent has a disability severe enough to tance of what it means to our Nation 2000 will ensure that education, acces- interfere with schooling, holding a job or to have everyone counted. She is to be sible health care, child care, access to conducting normal household activities such commended for her leadership, her vi- as eating and bathing. jobs, and the protection of civil rights Granted, that’s personal. But it’s also a sion, and her foresight in assuring that are available for all. perfectly good example of the census’ value. every State receives its fair share of Again, those first-graders sitting Washington hands out billions of dollars dollars. And the only way that it is there and then standing and pledging every year to disabled Americans, and every going to be done is by doing an accu- allegiance to the flag, where will they year skeptical lawmakers ask how many rate count. Americans are truly so disabled that they be in 10 years? What will they have ac- By doing an accurate count, I am complished if we do not do what we are need government assistance. The same could be said for the billions of really appalled at what is going on and supposed to do and fill out our forms? dollars that Washington spends every year am outraged by what is going on or has It is a simple act. And as I told some on highways, parks, mortgage subsidies, tui- been suggested by parties on one par- constituents the other day, when they tion assistance and so forth. It would be irre- ticular side that has said that it is op- fail to fill out that form and they have sponsible for Congress to spend the money tional to count. It is not optional. It is five people in their house, that means without good data on the nation’s housing our responsibility, it is everybody’s re- six people are not counted. stock, travel habits, recreation needs and educational deficiencies. And that says noth- sponsibility, it is Americans’ responsi- And so, Mr. Speaker, again our citi- bility to make sure that we all are zens deserve no less. I want to thank ing about the small army of scholars who will dig into census data in coming years to counted. It is irresponsible and unpa- again the gentlewoman from New York conduct important research on health care, triotic not to be counted. (Mrs. MALONEY) for yielding. mobility, poverty, education and countless Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. other subjects. Let me tell my colleagues I stand Speaker, our next speaker will be the Lott and Coburn say their constituents here as a veteran, a veteran who has gentleman from the 42nd Congressional don’t trust the Census Bureau to keep their served our country, and many other District of California (Mr. BACA) the answers confidential. But responsible leaders veterans who have served us, they be- inland empire. But before he speaks, I would not inflame groundless suspicions. lieve they have fought to assure that would like to read a short quote from They would remind their constituents of the we enjoy those freedoms that we enjoy Census Bureau’s excellent 200-year records of an editorial published in the Min- today because they were willing to put vigorously protecting the confidentiality of themselves and to sacrifice, that we neapolis Star Tribune on April 2. personal information. A handful of conservative lawmakers in What’s most depressing about the Lott- enjoy those freedoms today to make Washington have come up with a creative re- Coburn critique is that it’s one more effort sure that everyone is counted, that ev- sponse. They’re urging constituents to sim- to depict the government as an enemy of the eryone enjoys the freedom that we ply ignore the questions they don’t like. people, not an extension of their will. Ameri- have to assure they participate in our That’s a cynical and irresponsible approach cans who want their government to function American democracy. from elected officials who should know bet- more effectively should support a thorough ter. The census long form might be a nui- census. A sophisticated society cannot func- They cannot participate in that sance, but there is no question that it pro- tion without good information about itself. American democracy if they do not vides useful, sometimes required, informa- And for those busy souls who haven’t labored participate and they are not counted. I tion for Federal agencies to allocate tax- through the long form yet, we trust they’ll ask every individual to participate. We payer’s money for private scholars to con- approach the task more responsibly than now have had 61 percent of individuals duct research and for the government to some of their leaders in Washington. that participated at this point. That is serve citizens more effectively. Last Friday, the Senate passed a misguided not enough. We need 35 percent addi- Mr. Speaker, I do not think anybody Sense of the Senate resolution that will only tional of the total of Americans to par- could have said it any better. encourage more Americans not to participate ticipate in filling out their forms. We Mr. Speaker, I include the following in this critically important civic ceremony. need every individual to fill out their entire editorial for the RECORD: Ironically, many of the Senators raising form. questions also cosponsored an amendment [From the Star Tribune, Apr. 2, 2000] We are in an information age. We offered by Senator HELMS which would have CENSUS RUCKUS; DON’T BOYCOTT THE LONG need reliable information in order to asked every American what their marriage sta- FORM make good decisions for this Nation. tus was. Those Senators should realize that One in six American households has re- Without good data, we cannot admin- they cannot have it both ways. ceived the Census Bureau’s dreaded ‘‘long ister the laws of this country fairly. form’’ in recent weeks, and most are react- It is much too late to be raising these ques- ing to its 52 detailed questions with an un- tions. The Census Bureau has long forms on derstandable combination of patience, impa- At this time, I would like to read a few a baseline for every single economic tience and procrastination. quotes from an editorial published in the Min- independent indicator to be published. But a handful of conservative lawmakers neapolis Star-Tribune on April 2nd. Without an accurate baseline, we can- in Washington have come up with a more A handful of conservative lawmakers in not produce economic information creative response. They’re urging constitu- Washington have come up with a creative re- ents to simply ignore the questions they needed to run this Nation’s economics sponse. They’re urging constituents to sim- effectively. don’t like. ply ignore the questions they don’t like. That’s a cynical and irresponsible ap- that’s a cynical and irresponsible approach Not too long ago, I came here and proach from elected officials who should from elected officials who should know bet- was elected during a special election. I know better. The census long form might be ter. The census long form might be a nui- voted for the budget at that time. It a nuisance, but there is no question that it sance, but there is no question that it pro- was the first budget that I ever voted provides useful—sometimes required—infor- vides useful—sometimes required—informa- mation for federal agencies to allocate tax- for. It was approximately a $790 trillion tion for Federal agencies to allocate tax- budget. When I look at that budget, I payers’ money, for private scholars to con- payer’s money, for private scholars to con- duct important research and for the govern- duct research, and for the government to am saying, how much of that money is ment to serve citizens more effectively. serve citizens more effectively. coming back to California? In Cali- Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott has led Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman fornia we have continued to do an the attack, arguing that the census ques- undercount. tionnaire is overlong and intrusive. But the from California (Mr. BACA). Census Bureau has added only one item since Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I In Fontana recently, we have had a 1990, and it provided all the questions for want to thank the gentlewoman from lot of growth and development in that congressional review two years ago, as re- New York (Mrs. MALONEY) for doing an area. We need to make sure that we do quired by law. outstanding job in getting out the word have an accurate count in that imme- Rep. Tom Coburn, R–Okla, says the ques- to all American people of the responsi- diate area. We are going to lose a lot of tions are too personal. When pressed for an bility that we have in assuring that funding that goes back, monies that example last week, a Coburn aide cited a question about bathing habits. But it turns every American is counted. It has need to go back for education, monies out that the question is actually about men- taken a lot of effort and a lot of time that need to go back for parks and tal and physical disability. As a series of ex- on her part. I commend her for her recreation, monies that need to go amples, the question asks whether the re- part, because she realizes the impor- back for special ed, monies that need

VerDate 20-MAR-2000 03:38 Apr 11, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K10AP7.108 pfrm02 PsN: H10PT1 April 10, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1995 to go back for infrastructure and trans- spond. So if you have yet to fill out your sure that they count every hard-to- portation, monies that need to go back census form, please do so and mail it this count group. I spearheaded a special for health services, monies that need to week. project to make sure Africans and Car- Participation in the census may also be go back for senior citizens. harmed by the political grandstanding it ibbean residents in the Diaspora under- If we do not do an accurate count, we continues to inspire. Presidential candidate stood the importance of the census and will not get the monies that we de- George W. Bush and Senate Majority Leader trusted our laws of confidentiality gov- serve. It is our responsibility to make TRENT LOTT (R-Miss.) have criticized the erning the process. sure that we receive the funding that is long census—sent to one in six American I also called on homeless shelters, necessary for all of us. It cannot hap- households—as some sort of government in- battered women shelters, colleges, uni- pen unless we take our responsibility. trusion on privacy. versities, and families with children to However, the Census Bureau takes very se- make sure that we count them, because I urge all Americans to make sure riously its responsibility to keep individual they fulfill their obligation, they take census responses confidential. Leakers inside they will have been historically under- that responsibility. We are in a coun- will be sought out and prosecuted, as will counted individuals. try where we have those freedoms. hackers on the outside. In fact, the bureau is Shame on any elected official who Many other individuals do not have working with leading computer-security ex- would undermine our Nation’s effort to those freedoms. We have the freedom perts to make sure its data remain untapped. gather vital information we need for to complete the form and look at every Is this year’s census survey exceptionally appropriations and planning. The cen- burdensome or intrusive, as its critics sug- dollar that we reserve. sus numbers are extremely important gest? No, the questions on the long form are to Government leaders. If California wants to reserve its dol- almost all similar to those asked in previous lars to get back what it deserves, we In 1990, the census undercounted censuses, including the 1990 census con- 486,000 persons in the State of Texas, need to make sure that an accurate ducted when Bush’s father was president. count is done. The only way that Cali- And every question on this year’s long form causing that State to lose about $1 bil- fornia will get the additional dollars is was presented to members of Congress for lion in Federal funding for health care, that we make sure we do that count. their comments two years ago. To find fault housing, transportation, and other We have 52 Members in the State of with those queries at this late date is a Federal programs. Even California lost cheap shot. $2.3 billion, Mr. Speaker, and a con- California. We need to continue to The information being gathered will be make sure we ask for an accurate gressional seat. used to redraw political districts, calculate Children, the target of this presi- count. We need to make sure that how government benefits like Medicare are dential candidate’s education reform blacks, Hispanics, Asian-Americans, to be shared equitably, and predict public package, are one of the most under- the American-Indian population, and needs such as mass transit, roads, libraries, counted groups in America. How many the total population is actually count- schools, fire and police protection. Census of them fell through the cracks in ed. We need all of them to participate, figures from 1990 helped federal emergency Texas this past decade because of un- to make sure they do fill out their officials determine quickly where shelters were most needed after Hurricane Andrew derfunded public services? It seems, out forms, that they are not frightened and smashed south Florida in 1993. of self-interest, one would want an ac- sabotaged by anyone telling them not The alternative, as urged by Bush, Lott & curate assessment of one’s home State. to complete the form. I ask them to Co., would be to operate government unin- Remember, these same officials who please complete the form. We urge formed of its people’s needs. do not want residents filling out census them. It is important for this Nation. Mr. Speaker, the next speaker is the forms oppose using modern scientific It is important for our country. gentlewoman from California (Ms. methods for a more accurate census Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. MILLENDER-MCDONALD) a leader not count. Speaker, I put a brief quote in from the only in the census but in the Women’s Come now, they cannot have it both Atlanta Journal Constitution on April Caucus. She is the co-chair of the ways. If all public leaders, no matter 3. It says, ‘‘Participation in the census Women’s Caucus. what party affiliation, would encour- may also be harmed by the political Ms. MILLENDER-MCDONALD. Mr. age every resident to fill out and re- grandstanding it continues to inspire.’’ Speaker, let me first thank this out- turn their forms, we could get the re- Presidential candidate George W. Bush standing Member out of the State of sults we need, Mr. Speaker. has criticized the long census sent to New York (Mrs. MALONEY) who not Maybe those now questioning the one in six American households as only leads the census and has been ab- census have other motives for spoiling some sort of government intrusion on solutely strong in her deliberations on an accurate census count. Maybe they privacy. this issue but is the chairwoman of the do not want a true accurate count. However, the Census Bureau takes Woman’s Caucus. She, too, under- Frankly, this reminds me of the 1980s, very seriously its responsibility to stands, Mr. Speaker, that of the 4 mil- when South African apartheid govern- keep individual responses absolutely lion people who were undercounted, 50 ment decided not to count the majority confidential. Leakers inside will be percent of those were our children. of African people as South Africans. sought out and prosecuted. And hack- And so, this is why, Mr. Speaker, I Did undercounting tens of thousands of ers on the outside have not been able am appalled a leading presumptive residents who were not acceptable but to get in. If they were caught, they presidential candidate, a man aspiring lived in Johannesberg make them go would be prosecuted. In fact, the Bu- to lead this great Nation, cannot figure away? Did it drive down actual unem- reau is working with leading computer out whether he will fill out his own ployment figures and increase the real security experts to make sure its data confidential census form. This is the infant mortality rate? Of course not. remains untapped. same man who wants to take charge of This statistical chicanery only lets Mr. Speaker, I include the entire ar- the American people and its govern- those in power fool themselves to the ticle for the RECORD: ment to make public policy based on realities they need to face. [From the Atlanta Journal Constitution, population figures that affect our daily The Census Bureau has done a great Apr. 3, 2000] lives in health, education, transpor- job and has gone to great lengths to CONSTITUTION: KEEP THE CENSUS FROM BE- tation, appropriations, and other pub- carry out the mandates of Congress to COMING POLITICAL FODDER AND PARTICIPATE lic responsibilities. make sure the forms are as brief as Roughly half of America’s households did Carrying out his own education pro- possible. In fact, the long form is short- their civic duty and answered the U.S. Cen- posal unveiled last week would depend er than the 1990 form by four questions sus Bureau’s Year 2000 postal survey by its upon, Mr. Speaker, accurate data that and it is the shortest form in history. April 1 deadline. That level of participation all of the census produces. How does he My friends, this is the information is not nearly good enough if America is to plan to produce an accurate Consumer age. We need the data from these forms get the accurate picture of itself essential to Price Index without accurate long form to administer our public duty in this governing fairly and efficiently at local, country fairly. Those encouraging citi- state and federal levels. data? Still, he has not committed Fortunately, the bureau still has a ‘‘final, enough to government fairness to fill zens to voluntarily suppress an accu- final deadline’’ for mail and e-mail replies. out one of these forms himself. rate count are doing it as a grave dis- It’s April 11, the day it will send out its enu- Now, I have worked with the Census service to their State and to Americans merators to count Americans who didn’t re- Bureau now for about 2 years to make across this Nation.

VerDate 20-MAR-2000 03:00 Apr 11, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K10AP7.109 pfrm02 PsN: H10PT1 H1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 10, 2000 As leaders, they should know the churches who have been making the body who are urging everybody to fill laws of confidentiality governing the announcements, who have been trying out the form. census in our great country. This is our to convince people on a regular basis, ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE process governed by our laws that our the volunteers who went out with me The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- courts have upheld. Reasonable and on Saturday. tlewoman will suspend. The gentle- sensible officials swear to uphold the We ran into people who just did not woman may not characterize legisla- law. And this law has never been vio- understand. I ran into one woman who tive positions of Members of the other lated. Let us stop playing games, my said to us, you know, I am saved and body. friends, with America’s future. Follow sanctified and filled with the Holy GENERAL LEAVE the advice of sensible leaders in all po- Spirit, and I am not going to fill out Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. litical parties. Fill out that census these forms. I said to myself, yes, you Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that form, and encourage everyone who will be saved and sanctified and broke, all Members may have 5 legislative comes within their purview to do the filled with the Holy Spirit and your days within which to revise and extend same. children cannot get daycare. And the their remarks on the subject of my spe- I thank again the gentlewoman from Holy Spirit is going to help you do a cial order today. New York (Mrs. MALONEY) for her lead- lot of things, but the Holy Spirit is not The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. ership. going to put a daycare center in your SHIMKUS). Is there objection to the re- Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. neighborhood so that your grand- quest of the gentlewoman from New Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from children can go and get early childhood York? Illinois (Mr. DAVIS), a member of the education. There was no objection. Census Subcommittee of the Com- Mr. Speaker, I ran into people who Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. mittee on Government Reform. He has said to us that they did not get the Speaker, I would like to remind the been fighting for an accurate census forms, and I looked in their hallways, House that many of the questions are through two threatened government and there were the forms on the floor. essentially the same questions ap- shutdowns and a flood relief bill held I said, well, you did not get it, but it is proved by former President Ronald hostage. He fought against the designa- here; you have got to pick it up and fill Reagan and President Bush, except tion of the census as an emergency. it out and send in the information. that they are less than the questions in I ran into people who said that we The census has been around since the 1990. I would ask some of my more con- filled it out on the first floor, but the beginning of our Nation, and he fought servative Members to think about that people on the second floor, I am not every day to get the funding for the before they criticize the census. sure that they got one. In the information age, we need reli- census. He is continuing as one of our I make a plea to all Americans, not- able information in order to make good outstanding leaders for a complete and withstanding anything that anybody decisions for this Nation. Some Mem- accurate count. I thank him for all of else might say, and, yes, I have some bers of Congress must be stuck in the his hard work. problems with those who would encour- 18th century. They do not seem to want b 2015 age people not to fill the forms out, but to know how America is doing. With- the real responsibility is on each and Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, out good data, you cannot administer every one of us. as I have listened to the discussion this the laws of this country fairly. Their evening, I have been thrilled and de- We have an old saying in my commu- nity that if you fool me once, shame on comments are rash and inappropriate. lighted. First of all, I want to com- The good news for the census is that mend the gentlewoman from New York you; fool me twice, shame on me. Not- withstanding what anybody might say, the Census Bureau is following the law. (Mrs. MALONEY) for her continuing out- whether they are elected, appointed, It will try to get the long form ques- standing leadership day after day, community activists who just do not tions answered, because the profes- night after night. The gentlewoman understand, anybody that is encour- sionals at the bureau do what the law talks about leaving no stone unturned. aging you or suggesting that you says, the law Congress passes. They go She is talking about taking a message should not fill out your form, then, out and try to get an accurate picture to the American people. I really do not they do not have your interests at of this country and report back to Con- think, I say to the gentlewoman, that heart. gress. I guess we now know why the anybody has ever put more into an You have got to say the way that 2000 census was designated an emer- issue, into an idea, into a concept than they say at the church that I attend: it gency in last year’s budget. We just did what she has displayed during these is not my mother, it is not my father, not know that some Members of Con- last 2 years of trying to make sure that but it is me oh, Lord. It is not the dea- gress were the ones who would be cre- there is an accurate count, an honest con. It is not the preacher, but it is me. ating the emergency. count, and that everybody person in It is not the Democrats. It is not the On average, the long form takes a lit- this country is, indeed, counted. Republicans. It is not the House. It is tle over half an hour to complete. Only Mr. Speaker, I thank her, along with not the Senate, it is my form, and if I information needed to manage or all of those who have expressed all of do not fill out my form, then it means evaluate government programs is col- their appreciation. Listening to the that I do not count. lected by the census. Just a half an gentlewoman from California (Ms. So I thank the gentlewoman from hour every 10 years for good data on MILLENDER-MCDONALD), I said to my- New York for her leadership, for all your country, a photograph of where self, if I was not going to fill out the that she has done. Please, Americans, your country is going. The short form form, listening to the gentlewoman please, residents of the 7th Congres- just takes several minutes, just several from California that would have caused sional District in the State of Illinois, minutes to be a good citizen. $180 bil- me to grab up a pencil, a pen, or what- please make absolutely certain that lion a year in Federal money depends ever it was that I could get my hands you count by filling out the form, be- on census data. That is close to $2 tril- on, and run to that form and fill it out. cause if you do not, then all of America lion over the decade. Clearly that is Unfortunately, there are many peo- loses. reason enough to fill out the long form ple in our country who do not under- Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. which, by the way, goes to only one in stand the importance. I represent a dis- Speaker, I thank the gentleman from six American households. trict that has over 165,000 people who Illinois. I think what he just said he As I said, Members should remember live at or below the level of poverty. said it beautifully. Added to his words that they were informed of the ques- Obviously, many of these individuals are Senator JOHN MCCAIN who recently tions that would be in the census over are at the lower end of the socio- exhibited the kind of leadership all 2 years ago. Every single Member got a economic scale, many of them, obvi- Members of Congress should emulate, book that had every question, they had ously, are not as well-educated as some when he urged all Americans to fill out the reason for the question, and they other people. Obviously, many of them the entire census form. had the congressional law that re- do not understand. I want to thank all Mrs. MALONEY of New York. I con- quired it. They had an opportunity to of the people in my community, the gratulate certain Members of the other criticize or complain then. But that

VerDate 20-MAR-2000 03:00 Apr 11, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K10AP7.110 pfrm02 PsN: H10PT1 April 10, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1997 time has passed. Now is the time to two years ago when the questions, all re- lion per year of federal funds to schools, em- urge everyone to participate in this quired by law (and who passes law?) were cir- ployment services, housing assistance, high- civic ceremony together as one Nation. culated among members of Congress. way construction, hospital services, child It is your future. Do not leave it blank. On Wednesday, Coburn essentially urged and elderly programs. his Second District constituents to violate When the data show, for instance, that the Please fill out the form. federal law by refusing to complete certain city of Chesapeake has had phenomenal Mr. Speaker, I include for the portions of their long-form questionnaires. growth since the past census, additional RECORD a series of editorials across the One in six homes receives the long form. funding to Chesapeake will be forthcoming country from Seattle to Washington, ‘‘The Census Bureau’s desire for informa- in many of the above categories. Sacramento, Palm Beach, Minneapolis, tion is out of control and a violation of pri- Why the questions about toilets and heat- vacy rights,’’ Coburn said, adding, however, ing costs? The statistical data on plumbing Atlanta; David Broder in the Wash- facilities is used by the U.S. agriculture and ington Post; Gail Collins, New York that his constituents should answer the ‘‘es- sential’’ questions on the short form cov- housing departments to determine rural de- Times; Los Angeles, USA Today, At- ering a person’s name, sex, age, relationship, velopment policy, grants for residential lanta Journal; along with many, many Hispanic origin and race. property rehabilitation and identification of other articles that have come out in The long form asks 27 more questions areas for housing rehabilitation loans. support of being good citizens and fill- about 34 subjects, including marital status, Knowledge derived from the census is es- ing out the long form, being part of an income, mode of transportation to work and sential also to the drawing of samples for all kinds of surveys, for the computation of accurate census. work status for the past year. Coburn said that if a census worker shows birth and death rates and the making of ac- [From the Seattle Times Company, March up to collect omitted information, Oklaho- tuarial tables, and for the analysis of eco- 29, 2000] mans should ‘‘politely refuse’’ to give it. nomic development and business cycles. OVERLY OVERWROUGHT ABOUT THE 2000 Coburn’s position doesn’t square with that Above all, the census makes possible the es- CENSUS of Gov. Frank Keating and other leaders who timation of future trends and is therefore On any given day, citizens are bombarded have encouraged Oklahomans to fill out the part of all kinds of planning—national, state, with dozens of legitimate, stress-producing forms so that the state can receive the larg- local, tribal, citizen groups, business and in- worries. The U.S. Census Bureau, even its est share possible of the $2 trillion in federal dustry. much-maligned long-form questionnaire, funds that are handed out on the basis of Please take the extra time to answer the ought not be one of them. census figures. Some of the questions in the seemingly ‘‘personal’’ questions on your cen- Census questionnaires have been mailed to long form help agencies calculate the spe- sus long form. The official deadline is Satur- 120 million American households. The seven- cific needs of a community. day. After April 11, you may be visited by a question short form was sent to most house- ‘‘While I understand the reservations that census enumerator if you failed to return holds; a longer, more-detailed, 52-question some Oklahomans may have with regard to your questionnaire. Please don’t shoot the form was delivered to one in six households. some of the questions on the long-form cen- messenger. We’ll only be doing our job be- Then the yowling began—The Snoops! The sus questionnaire, I urge them to complete cause you didn’t do yours. invasion of privacy! and promptly return the entire form to the EDWARD SAMSON, The complaints are nine parts hype, one census bureau,’’ Keating said. Chesapeake. part hooey. Coburn took his position after receiving [From the Washington Post, March 31, 2000] Two important developments have oc- complaints that long forms were invasive. He curred since the last census was taken in accused the census bureau of being ‘‘out of CENSUS BASHING 1990. The long form got shorter by four ques- control’’ and of violating Americans’ pri- The Census always produces complaints tions, and talk radio got louder. vacy. that an intrusive government is asking for In fairness to those with census jitters, Even some other conservative members of more information then it has a right to more people nowadays are concerned about the Oklahoma congressional delegation, in- know. Usually the complaints are scattered personal privacy. Frequent calls by solicitors cluding Rep. Steve Largent and U.S. Sens. and come the fringe. But this year some and marketing companies wear down a per- Don Nickles and James Inhofe, do not appear radio show hosts have taken up the issue, son’s patience and goodwill. to embrace Coburn’s position. and now some national politicians who oth- Remember, though, the census is the head If the Census Bureau is asking too many erwise yield to none in insisting on law and count prescribed by the Constitution. nosy questions, the time to protest is before order are telling constituents not to answer The people who make money by whipping the questions become law, not in the middle questions they feel invade their privacy. up fear—and those who buy into it—sub- of a census. We should be able to count on The Senate majority leader, Trent Lott, is stitute paranoia for logic. our elected officials to know what’s going on one such. He believes that people ought to The loudest concerns focus on question 31 in time to do something about it. provide ‘‘the basic census information’’ but on the long form, which asks people to re- [From the Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA), that if they ‘‘feel their privacy is being in- port wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses March 30, 2000] vaded by [some] questions, they can choose or tips from jobs. This is not a scary ques- not to answer,’’ his spokesman says. Like- HEAD COUNT: YOU’VE GOT UNTIL SATURDAY TO tion. The federal government, the Internal wise Sen. Chuck Hagel, whose ‘‘advice to ev- TACKLE THOSE CENSUS QUESTIONS Revenue Service, already knows the answer erybody is just fill out what you need to fill for individuals. The Census Bureau is look- I am one of the army of people hired to out, and [not] anything you don’t feel com- ing for data to report in the aggregate. help answer questions about the 2000 census. fortable with.’’ Yesterday, George W. Bush Before people allow themselves to be Many people receiving the long form under- said that, if sent the so-called form, he isn’t whipped into an unnecessary froth, remem- stand the questions but are reluctant to pro- sure he would fill it out, either. ber the manner in which the data is re- vide answers. They feel the government ‘‘al- And which are the questions that offend ported. It is much like a series of USA Today ready knows too much about my personal these statesmen? One that has been mocked headlines, ‘‘We’re older,’’ ‘‘We’re more mo- life and income. And why do they want to seeks to determine how many people are dis- bile, more diverse’’ and so on. The census know how many flush toilets I have or how abled as defined by law, in part by asking doesn’t announce that Joe Dokes at 123 Pine much it costs to heat my home?’’ whether any have ‘‘difficulty . . . dressing, Street does or says anything. Nor does the There are reasons for including these ques- bathing, or getting around inside the home.’’ Census Bureau share personal information tions as an adjunct to the main purpose of When it mailed the proposed census ques- with other agencies. the census, which is to get a head count of tions to members of Congress for comment The questions provide a telling snapshot of all people residing in the United States on two years ago—and got almost no response— America and help determine how large pots April 1, 2000. Let me try to allay some of the the bureau explained that this one would be of tax dollars are spent on social programs, misconceptions. used in part to distribute housing funds for highways and mass transit, and how congres- First, the data is absolutely confidential. the disabled, funds to the disabled elderly sional seats are distributed among the Nobody, not the President, the Supreme and funds to help retrain disabled veterans. states. Smile. A big family portrait is being Court, the FBI, the INS or any local police Are those sinister enterprisers? A much-de- painted with numbers. Nothing scary about department, will ever have access to your in- rided question about plumbing facilities is that. dividual questionnaire. All census workers used in part ‘‘to locate areas in danger of are sworn to maintain the confidentiality of ground water contamination and waterborne the data provided, under penalty of a stiff [From the Tulsa World, March 30, 2000] diseases’’; one about how people get to work fine and a prison term. This confidentiality is used in transportation planning. All have COBURN: DOWN FOR THE COUNT has not been breached since the census start- been asked for years. Rep. Tom Coburn is never going to come to ed in 1790. Earlier this year, Mr. Lott’s Senate com- his census. Count on it. Second, the answers that you provide are plained 94 to 0 that a question about marital But the Second District Republican con- compiled into statistics, which are then status had been removed from the basic cen- gressman should admit that the appropriate made available to the public and all govern- sus form. That was said to be a sign of dis- time to protest queries on the long form of mental agencies. These statistics are used to respect for marriage. Come on. This is a crit- the Census 2000 questionnaire was more than determine how to distribute about $200 bil- ical period for the census. All kinds of harm

VerDate 20-MAR-2000 03:46 Apr 11, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K10AP7.114 pfrm02 PsN: H10PT1 H1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 10, 2000 will be done if the count is defective. A poli- who are caregivers for children. In fact, this By law the responses are strictly confiden- tician not seeking to score cheap political year’s long form is the shortest one in 60 tial. The U.S. Census cannot share individual points at public expense might resist the years. All answers on census forms are kept household answers with the IRS, FBI, INS or temptation to demagogue and instead urge confidential. Yet Senator Chuck Hagel of Ne- any other government agency or private en- citizens to turn in their forms. But in an braska has suggested in recent days that tity. election year such as this, that’s apparently people can simply ignore questions on the Moreover, every single question on the too high a standard for some. long form—which goes to one out of six long and short forms is there because of a [From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, American households—that they find intru- specific statutory requirement. Most of these March 31, 2000] sive. A spokesman for Senator Trent Lott, questions have been on the form for decades. the majority leader, has made similarly in- CENSUS TOO IMPORTANT TO IGNORE The only new question added since 1990 was appropriate suggestions. Gov. George W. put there at the behest of Republicans in It seems that lots of people are com- Bush of Texas has said that people should fill Congress, including Lott. It asks grand- plaining about having to answer what they out the forms, but that if he received a long parents whether they are caregivers for their claim are invastive questions on this year’s form, he was not sure he would want to fill grandchildren. The wording of each question census form. Of course, some of these are it out either. These comments are irrespon- was reviewed by Congress in 1997 and 1998. people who willingly give their credit card sible. Completing the census form fully and Lott, who now raises objections, pushed a numbers to telemarketers offering the latest accurately is not optional; it is a civic duty resolution urging the Census Bureau to re- in siding or to Internet sites that sell really that is required by law. Senator hagel now turn to the short form a question about mar- cool lava lamps. says that he does not want to encourage peo- ital status that it had moved to the long There are also plenty of members of Con- ple to break the law, but will introduce legis- form. gress who are now all in a huff, saying they lation to make most of the questions on the The census is the law of the land, enacted sympathize with citizens who are threat- long form voluntary. by the first Congress. When Bush says he ening to refuse to fill out the forms. One The federal government has spent billions wouldn’t fill out the form, he’s saying he’s wonders what these guardians of the public of dollars trying to produce an accurate prepared to break the law. When Lott ad- good were doing when they reviewed—and count as response rates have continued to vises Americans not to answer questions apparently approved of—the same census decline with each decennial count. Accuracy they don’t want to answer, he’s telling them questions they are now complaining about. is critical because the census is used to ap- to break the law. And although both Lott And where they were 10 years ago, when the portion seats in Congress, draw legislative and Bush limit their specific objections to questions were virtually the same. districts within the states and distribute the long form, the impact will inevitably re- The fact is, it’s important to fill out the more than $185 billion in Federal funds. The verberate more widely—to those who only census so the government has an accurate government uses information from the long receive the short form. count and so the average citizen has ade- form of the census to allocate money to com- quate representation in Washington and re- munities for housing, school aid, transpor- In Sacramento, census officials report that ceives his or her fair share of federal funds. tation, services for the elderly and the dis- the response to the census is already lagging. Admittedly, some of the questions are abled and scores of other programs. The data Only 39 percent of Sacramento households goofy, and threats to privacy should be of are also necessary to calculate the consumer have returned the form so far. Every man, concern to everyone. But asking how many price index and cost of living increases in woman or child not counted costs $1,600 in toilets you have is hardly sinister. Besides, government benefits. lost federal funds. That’s money that would the government already knows. Just ask When individuals fail to give complete in- go to our schools and highways and mental your local assessor. formation about their households, they risk health and police protection. Government also already knows what race shortchanging their communities of govern- Participating in the census is a civic duty, you are and whether you are a veteran. It ment aid that they may be entitled to. That like voting, serving on juries and defending keeps records on those kinds of things, just is why many state and local government offi- the country. As duties go, it’s not burden- as businesses keep records of your commer- cials are working hard to increase census re- some, for most people, filling out the long cial transactions. sponse rates in their communities. The form is a once-in-a-lifetime chore. With their It’s easy to rail against government, but mindless complaints of some politicians thoughtless comments that feed mindless the greatest threat to privacy is not found in could well sabotage those efforts. anti-government sentiment—do they really government census forms, but in the vast think they can govern better by knowing databases being built by private companies [From the Sacramento Bee, April 1, 2000] less about America?—Bush and Lott have about their customers and potential cus- TRASHING THE CENSUS: IRRESPONSIBLE BUSH done a disservice to the census and the coun- tomers. COMMENTS COULD SABOTAGE COUNT try. Want something to worry about? Go to the Internet and search for information about Just two days ago before Census Day, as yourself. What some of you may learn there U.S. Census Bureau officials were urging [From the Palm Beach Post, April 1, 2000] Americans to cooperate in the crucial once- is really scary. THE CENSUS FOLLIES And since the census gives the nation a in-a-decade national count, Texas Gov. profile of itself, determines the number of George W. Bush made their job harder. If he Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R- representatives a state has in Congress and had the long census form, Bush told a cam- Miss., should just be quiet about the census. decides where federal funds are distributed, paign crowd, he’s not sure he’d want to fill it Greenacres has a complaint. Sen. Lott the information serves a larger public pur- out either. How harmful to this important doesn’t. civic exercise, how irresponsible and unpatri- pose than that gathered by eBay or Ama- The Census Bureau, once again, overlooked otic. zon.com. at least 1,500 apartments in Greenacres, Bush’s remarks come on the heels of Sen- It is OK to be annoyed by the government which were fairly new when it missed them ate Majority Leader Trent Lott’s advice to for asking all these fool questions. But it’s 10 years ago. The city, apparently tucked out his fellow Americans not to answer any ques- important to fill out the form and make sure of government’s sight in west-central Palm tions on the census long form that they be- the annoying information is at least accu- Beach County, worked with census officials lieve invade their privacy. Taken together, rate. Besides, the Census Bureau is barred by to make sure everyone is counted. The city those remarks by the leading Republican in law from sharing its informaiton about indi- has a gripe. viduals for three-quarters of a century. Congress and the likely Republican presi- dential nominee can easily be interpreted as Senl Lott, and some others, now say the So the informaiton on your toilets will be long census form, which went to one house- safe for at least that long. a deliberate attempt to sabotage the 2000 census. They raise questions about the integ- hold in six, is terribly intrusive. Sen. Lott rity of the census that are unwarranted, un- said recipients can list name and address but [From the New York Times, April 1, 2000] fair and irresponsible. ‘‘choose not to answer’’ other questions. He CIVIC DUTY AND THE CENSUS Once in six households receives the census didn’t complain in 1997, when he and all Some Congressional Republicans are seri- long form. Beyond the basic eight questions members of Congress received a copy of this ously undermining the 2000 census by sug- about the number, age, and gender and race year’s long form for gathering data that they gesting that the national head count, which or ethnicity of people living in the house- had ordered. And guess who cosponsored the officially takes place today, is an invasion of hold, the long form asks other questions de- law requiring a line on the form for marital privacy. That bizarre complaint could dis- signed to measure the well-being of Ameri- status? courage the public from participating in a cans, to help government agencies to plan But three years ago, Sen. Lott was in court project that is crucial to the functioning of where to put schools or highways or health with other Republicans insisting on an ‘‘ac- state and federal government. The questions funding. Included in the long forms are 53 tual enumeration,’’ counting individuals, on this year’s census form—including ques- questions such as. How many bedrooms in and no use of sampling techniques. If people tions on household income, plumbing facili- the house? Has anyone been disabled by take his advice now, the Census Bureau will ties and physical disabilities—have been part health problems in the last six months? Is have to get the information Congress re- of the census for decades. The only new ques- there a telephone? What is the income of the quires in the off-years, by sampling. Maybe tion asks for information on grandparents household? Is there indoor plumbing? by then, it will be able to find Greenacres.

VerDate 20-MAR-2000 03:00 Apr 11, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10AP7.043 pfrm02 PsN: H10PT1 April 10, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1999 [From the Chattanooga Times/Free Press, At the same time, Mississippi is threatened can’t turn into a matter of partisan division, Apr. 1, 2000] with the loss of one of its five U.S. House especially in an election year. DON’T LEAVE CENSUS FORM BLANK seats in the population-based reapportion- But how will Sen. Lott respond if Mis- After months of preparation, today marks ment that will follow the 2000 Census. So sissippi, because of a below-average census Census Day, when our national head count you’d think that officials throughout the count this year, does wind up losing a House moves into higher gear. state would be bending over backward to seat? Questionnaires have been mailed to every urge residents to take part in the fullest and And what is it’s Republican seat? household. With much riding on a full and most accurate count possible. accurate count, it’s significant to look at Why, then, did Senate Majority Leader [From the Atlanta Journal Constitution, how we are responding. Trent Lott (R–Miss.) propose that citizens Apr. 3, 2000] As of March 29, 46 percent of households refuse to answer any census questions they CONSTITUTION: KEEP THE CENSUS FROM BE- across the country had already completed find too ‘‘invasive’’? Although the senator COMING POLITICAL FODDER AND PARTICIPATE and returned their forms. Comparable rates insists he supports maximum participation Roughly half of America’s households did of response were 43 percent in Tennessee and in the census, it’s easy to see how people who their civic duty and answered the U.S. Cen- 41 percent in Georgia. Hamilton County, at already are suspicious of the federal govern- sus Bureau’s Year 2000 postal survey by its 47 percent, leads the five counties in our ment might interpret Lott’s suggestion as an April 1 deadline. That level of participation metropolitan area. Within the county, the invitation to blow of their civic—and legal— is not nearly good enough if America is to town of Signal Mountain shines with a 59 duty to take part in the national headcount. get the accurate picture of itself essential to percent response rate. In contrast, the city Census bashing has become something of a governing fairly and efficiently at local, of Chattanooga lags with 44 percent answer- national sport in recent days, as critics such state and federal levels. ing. as Lott allege that the initiative too often Fortunately, the bureau still has a ‘‘final, These are only preliminary reports and amounts to an invasion of privacy. Texas final deadline’’ for mail and e-mail replies. will be updated daily. The more meaningful Gov.—and presumptive Republican presi- It’s April 11, the day it will send out its enu- measurements will come on April 27, when dential nominee—George W. Bush said last Census 2000 enumerators will initiate a series week that if he had gotten the long (53 ques- merators to count Americans who didn’t re- of follow-up visits and calls to households tion) census form that one of every six spond. So if you have yet to fill out your that have failed to complete their forms. households has received, he wasn’t sure he census form, please do so and mail it this By that time, local Census officials expect would fill it out. week. to have over 60 percent of questionnaires re- These defenses of personal privacy ignore Participation in the census may also be turned. The higher the rate of response, the the fact that members of Congress reviewed harmed by the political grandstanding it sooner they can focus their efforts on count- each of the questions that appear on the long continues to inspire. Presidential candidate ing population groups and neighborhoods and short census forms two years ago. In- George W. Bush and Senate Majority Leader that are harder to reach. stead of striking ‘‘intrusive’’ questions then, Trent Lott (R–Miss.) have criticized the long There are plenty of excuses for not com- senators voted unanimously this year to pro- census—sent to one in six American house- plying, but most of them are not valid. Some test the Census Bureau’s removal of a ques- holds—as some sort of government intrusion people just hate paperwork. Yet the short tion about martial status. on privacy. form that went to five out of six households So it ill behooves lawmakers such as Lott However, the Census Bureau takes very se- takes only 10 minutes or less to complete. to complain now about the questionnaire. riously its responsibility to keep individual Some fear creeping big-government intru- Remember, too, that many lawmakers have census responses confidential. Leakers inside sion. The longer forms include some ques- opposed the use of statistical sampling to will be sought out and prosecuted, as will tions that may be helpful for statistical pur- correct the census undercount of millions of hackers on the outside. In fact, the bureau is poses, but many citizens find them too nosy Americans because they said it would violate working with leading computer-security ex- about their personal lives and home condi- the ‘‘integrity’’ of the process they now con- perts to make sure its data remain untapped. tions. demn. Is this year’s census survey exceptionally Some census questions do go too far, It’s understandable that some Americans burdensome or intrusive, as its critics sug- arousing opposition. And some people will might object to revealing their income on gest? No, the questions on the long form are question the promised confidentiality of the census questionnaire, although indi- almost all similar to those asked in previous their records. By law, no individual response vidual census data must remain confidential census, including the 1990 census conducted (only aggregated information) can be legally as a matter of law. It’s timeconsuming to when Bush’s father was president. And every reported to any other agency of government. gather the information needed to answer question on this year’s long form was pre- An official count has taken place every 10 some of the long-form questions accurately, sented to members of Congress for their com- years since 1790. The census is required by such as annual utility and insurance costs. ments two years ago. To find fault with the Constitution solely for the purpose of But many of the questions routinely ridi- those queries at this late date is a cheap fairly dividing U.S. House of Representatives culed by census bashers—whether residents shot. seats among the states on a population basis, of a given household have indoor plumbing, The information being gathered will be and dividing among the states the votes in whether they have difficulty dressing or used to redraw political districts, calculate the Electoral College, which actually elects bathing, how they commute to work—have how government benefits like Medicare are our presidents following the popular vote. been asked in previous censuses without gen- to be shared equitably, and predict public But also of great importance is the fact erating controversy. This year’s long form needs such as mass transit, roads, libraries, that billions of dollars of your tax money are has six fewer questions than the 1990 version. schools, fire and police protection. Census distributed according to the census count, The questions will yield data that will help figures from 1990 helped federal emergency with more money going where the count is federal official fairly distribute aid to help officials determine quickly where shelters higher. disabled Americans, to fight water pollution were most needed after Hurricane Andrew Amazingly, some heads of households will and to improve local transportation plan- smashed south Florida in 1993. forget to include the names and ages of their ning. Are these illegitimate activities? The alternative, as urged by Bush, Lott & children. An estimated 7,000 people were Bush has proposed allowing parents to use Co., would be to operate government unin- missed in Hamilton County alone during the federal Title I money under some cir- formed of its people needs. last census. The children in those house- cumstances to send their children to private holds, if counted, would have demonstrated or charter schools. That money is distrib- [From the Washington Post, Apr. 4, 2000] the need for our new schools and 139 new uted according to census data. DON’T TOY WITH THE CENSUS teachers. Overcrowding of schools and class- Many Mid-South residents insist they (By David S. Broder) rooms seems a heavy price to pay for paren- haven’t returned their census forms yet be- tal omission. cause they haven’t gotten them. If that is a Something about the census makes Repub- With Census Day upon us, let’s resolve to systematic problem, then the Census Bureau licans crazy. For the better part of two do our personal part to get it right this time. must deal with it, fast. years, they battled the scientific community Count us all in. But that is different matter from encour- and the Clinton administration to prevent aging citizens not to cooperate fully with the the use of statistical sampling techniques to [From the Memphis Commercial Appeal, national enumeration. correct for the undercount of people—mainly Apr. 2, 2000] Census officials are making special efforts low-income, minority, immigrant, transient CENSUS—POLITICAL BASHING WON’T HELP to get millions of households to return their and homeless—that marred the 1990 census. ACHIEVE FULL COUNT census forms this weekend. In light of the After reaching an impasse in Congress, the Mississippi has the lowest response rate of complaints, Census Director Kenneth Republicans took the issue to court and had any state so far to this year’s federal census: Prewitt said he fears many Americans have to be satisfied with a Supreme Court ruling 38 percent as of late last week—and 48 per- decided ‘‘this information is not very impor- that barred the use of sampling for appor- cent in DeSoto County—compared to a 50 tant at all.’’ tionment of seats in the House of Represent- percent national rate. (Memphis has nothing Americans have learned to their chagrin atives but approved it for everything else. to brag about, either, just 39 percent of Mem- that there isn’t an issue, even the constitu- Then last week, just as the publicity effort phians have returned their census forms.) tionally mandated census, that politicians to persuade people to return their census

VerDate 20-MAR-2000 03:00 Apr 11, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10AP7.046 pfrm02 PsN: H10PT1 H2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 10, 2000 forms was reaching its peak, several promi- million—in effect, a 3.5 percent local tax or wants everybody to fill out the forms, and nent Republicans said that Uncle Sam was penalty for the undercount. tells people to skip questions only if they getting too personal in some of the census There’s not a bit of evidence to justify the threaten to toss their forms into the river questions and suggested that it would be expressed concerns that the Census Bureau unless their objections are met. When it okay for people to skip over those items they professionals will violate the privacy of indi- comes to penalties for non-compliance, his found offensive. vidual families’ responses. There is all too spokesman added, ‘‘the senator is completely Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott told much proof that a flawed census hurts the agnostic.’’ Mississippi reporters that if he had received most vulnerable Americans. This possibly the first time in history that one of the long forms (delivered to one of It is time the politicians stop messing Mr. Lott’s name has been used in the same every six households) he might have de- around with the census. sentence with the word ‘‘agnostic.’’ murred at answering some of the questions. For every politician who’s trying to dis- Texas Gov. George W. Bush, the GOP’s presi- [From the New York Times, Apr. 4, 2000] tance himself from the census, there are four dential choice, said he hadn’t opened his cen- PUBLIC INTERESTS; DOWN FOR THE COUNT others desperately trying to get their con- sus form yet but wasn’t sure if he would fill (By Gail Collins) stituents to fill out the forms, and raise out the whole thing. How many of you out there have strong their chances of getting more Federal aid. Later, both men retreated part-way from reservations about the United States Cen- The governor of Georgia has gone on tele- their positions (Bush after learning that he sus? May I see a show of hands? vision with an ad urging his state to cooper- was in the short-form majority) and said I thought so. Everybody’s cool. Once again, ate ‘‘or our Georgia money will be educating people should return the forms with as much the radio talk-show circuit has plunged us New York children for another 10 years.’’ information as they could in good conscience into a violent debate about an issue that Now, I’m a little wounded by that. Cer- provide. But Rep. J. C. Watts of Oklahoma, stirs the passions of average Americans tainly we New Yorkers disagree with Geor- chairman of the House Republican Con- slightly less than the cancellation of ‘‘Bev- gians about some minor matters, such as the ference, blamed the bureaucracy for includ- erly Hills 90210.’’ relative charms of John Rocker. But our ing questions that ‘‘have raised an unprece- You have no doubt received a census form, elected officials—appalling as they may be— dented level of concern,’’ and other Repub- probably the short one that takes just a few don’t try to scare us into doing what they licans said they would introduce legislation minutes to fill out. The long form, which want by threatening to give our tax dollars to make responding to the census voluntary, goes to about one-sixth of all American to kids in Atlanta. rather than requiring it by law. households, contains 53 questions, including Go yell at the Mississippians for a while. All of this is basically nonsense—the kind whether your toilets flush and your relatives of politicians’ talk that gives hypocrisy a are all in their right minds. The answers are [From the San Francisco Examiner, Apr. 4, bad name even as it has serious policy con- going to remain confidential for the next 72 2000] sequences. Every single question on the cen- years; at that point a Ph.D. candidate may WHAT REALLY COUNTS; POCKETS OF NON-CO- sus 2000 form was vetted with Congress two grant you immortality by writing a disserta- OPERATION WITH THE TAKING OF THE U.S. years ago, and every one has its origin and tion on your indoor plumbing. CENSUS DEMONSTRATE AN OVERREACTION TO justification in a requirement included in a Census opponents appear to be mainly op- FEARS OF INVASION OF PRIVACY law passed by Congress. ponents of government, period. (James In my files on census topics, I have a Bovard, the author of ‘‘Freedom in Chains,’’ In an age of prosperity and sophistication, March 1998 report (that’s two years ago, called the census ‘‘a scheme for generating it’s odd but understandable that people have folks) titled ‘‘Questions Planned for Census grist for the expansion of the welfare state.’’) doubts about so many things. On subjects 2000.’’ That same report, I am informed, went But they’ve created some nervous roiling in ranging from the sanctity of confidential in- to every member of Congress. In the back of Congress. Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska formation to the good will of government in- that report is a table showing the first cen- is working on legislation to remove the $100 stitutions, we have become a nation of skep- sus in which each category of questions was penalty for failure to answer the questions, tics. asked. One of the questions on census 2000 to even though the fine hasn’t been imposed in We may live in the global village, but com- which some Republicans have objected asks decades. He’s being assisted by Senator mand central is in some place far away, in- for the family income. That has been asked Charles Robb of Virginia, a Democrat up for formation is collected by unseen hands and in every census since 1940. re-election who’s determined to leave no essential decisions about our lives are made Another, the subject of much ridicule, group unpandered to. without consulting us. asks, ‘‘Do you have complete plumbing fa- The census is actually a noble public enter- These disconnects are reasons some people cilities in this house, apartment or mobile prise. It represents the founding fathers’ choose to rebel against seemingly innocuous home, that is, hot and cold piped water, a breakthrough concept that people should practices such as the taking of the federal flush toilet, and a bathtub or shower?’’ That have power not because of their property or census every 10 years. question, too, has been on the long form titles, but simply because they’re there. If The U.S. Census carries out the useful ob- since 1940. we cannot expect election-fevered politicians jective of counting the noses of the country’s The plumbing question is asked, along to be reasonable about, say, Elian Gonzalez, populace and collecting information about with other measures of housing adequacy, as it does seem they could muster up the grit to their living conditions and habits. But be- a way of targeting federal grants to the com- tell folks that they should regard filling out cause individuals have no control over the munities where the need for decent housing census forms like voting, and pretend to ap- information once it leaves their hands, and is greatest. Is there anyone who doubts that preciate the opportunity. because governments have not always guard- more help should go to South Central Los But George W. Bush regards the issue as ed privacy, a minor rebellion has erupted. Angeles than to Beverly Hills? too hot for rationality. First he announced Five of every six households get the short The income question is used for a much that ‘‘all of us need to encourage people to census form, which has only seven basic, wider variety of federal programs. In all, fill out the census,’’ then instantly added unintrusive questions. It isn’t causing prob- more than $185 billion of federal grants to that he could understand why some ‘‘don’t lems. Every sixth household gets the long state and local governments is distributed on want to give all that information to the gov- form, which has 53 questions—some of them the basis of census information. One of the ernment. And if I had the long form I’m not more personal. It’s the bone of contention. major concerns about the 1990 undercount— sure I’d want to, either.’’ Some people are refusing to return census which later surveys suggested may have A spokesman for Mr. Bush said the gov- forms, even though that is required by law. missed 8 million people while double-count- ernor had received the short form, this Some politicians haven’t helped matters. Re- ing 4 million others—is that it deprived year’s equivalent of announcing you got a publican presidential candidate George W. areas with large numbers of low-income peo- high draft number. An aid to the Senate ma- Bush said he wasn’t sure he would answer all ple of the assistance they deserved. jority leader, Trent Lott, said recently that the questions. A study released last month by the U.S. Mr. Lott was telling people to just skip over Good reasons exist to cooperate. A big Census Monitoring Board and done by the ac- any question they felt was intrusive. Now, enough boycott could affect how federal counting firm Price-waterhouseCoopers esti- the senator’s constituents in Mississippi money, programs and services are divvied up. mated that in 169 metropolitan areas where make out like bandits when it comes to fed- Census workers are redoubling their efforts the poorly counted demographic groups are eral aid, receiving an average of about $2,000 to make sure that everyone is counted— concentrated, the likely net loss of federal per person more than they pay in federal which wasn’t the case in 1990—so that every assistance may well reach $11 billion in a taxes. On behalf of all the states that pay city and region gets its fair share of federal decade. more than they get back, let me say: Go to help. Some of the estimated losses are enor- it, Mississippians. Skip the long forms, and The Census is a statistical snapshot of the mous. The Los Angeles-Long Beach area, the short forms too. We’ll give the money to United States. It tells a lot about who we are where hospitals, schools and other public fa- some less conflicted state, perhaps one that as a people and is a manifestation of e cilities are chronically facing financial cri- hasn’t just received a contract to build a pluribus unum (out of many, one), the motto sis, could be a $1.8 billion loser. Miami has a monster aircraft carrier the Pentagon that appears on U.S. currency. $300 million stake in an accurate count; New doesn’t even want . . . It’s irresponsible for any politician, espe- Orleans, $97 million. And it is not just the . . . We interrupt this harangue to report cially one who aspires to be president, to big cities. Flagstaff, Ariz., is at risk for $25 that Mr. Lott’s office now says the senator suggest breaking the law by refusing to fill

VerDate 20-MAR-2000 03:00 Apr 11, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10AP7.047 pfrm02 PsN: H10PT1 April 10, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2001 out census forms. And while skepticism to- [From the Los Angeles Times, Apr. 5, 2000] It also could lose private-sector investment ward government is healthy, if citizens IT’S THE LAW, COUNT ON IT that is guided in part by Census data. weigh all factors, they should be inclined to Lastly, the Census isn’t uncommonly in- Senator Majority Leader TRENT LOTT (R– cooperate with the census takers. Miss.) and a few of his congressional col- trusive. The sort form is the shortest since The cure for any potential breaches of con- leagues seem to have forgotten the oath they 1820. The long form, received by 1 in 6 house- fidentiality isn’t refusal to answer. It’s strict swore to uphold the Constitution and the holds, is the shortest ever. And some of the enforcement of privacy laws that prohibit laws of the United States. Responding to most criticized questions—about employ- the Census Bureau from sharing confidential constituent complaints about parts of the ment, disability status, etc.—have been information with anyone else, including long-form census questionnaire, they have asked since the 19th century. The question other government agencies. suggested that questions that some might about income, since 1940. Indeed, Americans The time to demand changes in the census consider objectionable can simply be ig- give more personal information, more pub- isn’t in the midst of one. It’s in Congress, in nored. That is plainly and simply, advice to licly, when they buy a house, pay their taxes the form of legislation that updates ques- break the law, and considering the source or fill out a medical form. tions, strengthens safeguards and perhaps in- it’s especially reprehensible. Still, the Census raises predictable ques- creases penalties for violating citizens’ pri- About one household in six—approximately tions about nosiness. The long form wants to vacy. 20 million in all—was mailed the long census know about your job and your mortgage, Census officials need to do a better job of form; all others got a mere eight questions subjects you might not comfortably share explaining the agency’s existing protections about the people in the household. The long with your brother, much less Big Brother. against leaks and other privacy abuses. Why form aims to gather information that is es- Plainly, the government has done a poor are Census officials so faceless? It’s easier to sential for directing certain federal outlays. job of preventive promotion. Worries about trust people you’ve met, or at least seen on In the current decade, expenditures linked privacy are historic, yet the long form’s television. directly to census-provided information cover letter barely addresses them. Most people still answer the forms with Skeptics are fond of asking to see the evi- could total close to $2 trillion. speed and candor. But expecting them every dence. In the case of the census, we all know So there are a purpose and a policy consid- 10 years to remember why they are providing there’s a potential for misuse. What true eration behind every census question, no personal information without immediate skeptics should be asking is, ‘‘Just where matter how dubious its relevance may seem. Questions that some find intrusive and none gratification is asking for trouble. and when have any abuses occurred?’’ The irony is that many critics today also Failing a convincing answer, the reason- of the government’s business—about indoor plumbing or household income, for exam- helped defeat the use of statical sampling to able course for all of us—skeptics or not—is make the head count more accurate. to put away any residual fears and allow our- ple—contribute to a national economic and demographic profile that is of great value to Their understood motive was to prevent a selves to be counted. For the good of one and reapportionment of congressional districts all. both government and the private sector. This information helps determine where to represent undercounted populations, [From the San Francisco Chronicle, Apr. 5, roads and schools will be built, where Medi- which tend to vote Democrat. Opponents de- 2000] care and Medicaid funds should be chan- manded an actual head count, which is less accurate. Now the motive is simply to align DON’T SHRED THE CENSUS neled, where shopping centers are best lo- cated, where the needs of the disabled may Republican leaders with the public’s general ONE IN six American households are fac- distrust of federal data-gathering. ing a question this week: is it really nec- be most acute. The Census Bureau would have done well to emphasize this point much Finally, let’s not forget that Congress had essary to fill out a lengthy census form that a chance to review all of the questions two borders on nosy and antiquated? The answer earlier. The census has steadily evolved beyond its years ago. If they had problems, that was the is a resounding yes. limited 18th century purpose of congres- time to stand up and be counted. Today’s de- The head count is especially contentious sional reapportionment. Those in Congress bate: Census forms, but politics, privacy con- this time around. Along with the time re- who now counsel leaving some census ques- cerns needlessly stoke anger. quired and the odd questions, there is a po- tions unanswered suffer from a convenient litical overlay. Republican leaders, including memory lapse: Every one of the questions, IF YOU WANT TO COUNT, BE COUNTED likely GOP presidential nominee George W. many of which are mandated by statute or (By Lynn Sweet, Washington Bureau) Bush, suggest that folks toss the form if they court rulings, was approved by Congress two Chicagoans have made a lousy initial re- feel it is too intrusive. This suggestion is ir- years ago. sponse to the 2000 census, and the entire responsible neglect of an important duty. state of Illinois is lagging as well. This is a The census has made its share of mistakes. [From the USA Today, Apr. 6, 2000] sort of collective passive-aggressive behavior Some were mailed incorrectly. Its laundry 200 YEARS PLUS: CENSUS NOSINESS ISN’T NEW for which there is no excuse. And don’t start list of 53 questions takes more than half an saying that census questions are intrusive. hour to fill out. For city and suburban resi- More than 200 years ago, Thomas Jefferson The early trend shows that the mail-in re- dents, who make up the overwhelming ma- warned George Washington that taking the sponses from suburban Cook County and the jority of Americans, there are quaint ques- first U.S. Census, done in 1790, wouldn’t be collar counties are running as much as 20 tions about farm income and indoor plumb- easy. A Census taker could wind up with a points higher than the 40 percent from the ing. Why should citizens be bothered with musket in the face. And those were the days city. This will only ensure, if the pace keeps these far-fetched queries? of a well-regulated militia. The Census today faces equal mistrust. up, that the suburbs will have more political There are other arguments. High-tech This is due to the public’s innate aversion to muscle than they deserve in the state redis- boosters are upset there are no questions government prying, amplified by an unsubtle tricting that follows each census. about computer use, a topic that could use campaign to discredit the Census as too in- And if Illinoisans don’t let themselves be some exploring. But census bureaucrats said trusive. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, counted, the potential of losing a seat in the they were under pressure from single-issue R–Miss., has told Americans they need not House of Representatives because of reappor- groups ranging from pet lovers to religious answer questions they find too invasive. So tionment will easier become a reality. The leaders for special questions. The census has Republican presidential candidate return of Federal funds to Illinois also is dic- ended up largely as a repeat of the last one, George W. Bush. Sen. Charles Hagel, R–Neb., tated largely by census-driven formulas. which will limit its potential. wants to change the law to make answering Filling out the census form is a ‘‘mar- But for better or worse, the census remains most questions voluntary. velous opportunity’’ for Americans ‘‘to prove an essential task. It asks citizens to com- Whether the campaign to malign the long they can reverse the trend of civic disengage- plete a picture of their country, not give form will affect results won’t be known for ment,’’ said Census Bureau director Kenneth away personal secrets. Income, ancestry, job weeks. But Kenneth Prewitt, director of the Prewitt, A Downstate Alton native who is a history and even driving habits are useful in- Census Bureau, testified in Congress on former director of the National Opinion Re- gredients in depicting America, circa April Wednesday that the return rate is lagging search Center at the University of Chicago. 2000. well behind 1990 figures. The Census was aim- Across the nation, people are mailing in More specifically, the census plays a role ing for a 61% return over all. Below that, census forms—short and long—in dis- in doling out federal aid and congressional Congress will have to allocate extra money appointing numbers, and Prewitt earlier this districts. It can be used by schools, public for door-to-door head counting. week sounded an alarm because the nation- health and transit agencies in planning. That’s just one reason the anti-Census wide response rate was at 55 percent, below Change can be measured. crowd is giving bad advice. the 61 percent the bureau had expected by This evolution of the country is exactly Among the others: It’s illegal not to an- now. why San Francisco officials, civil rights or- swer all of the questions. And self-defeating. It’s not too late to get a mail-in census ganizations and school boards are pushing Over 10 years, up to $2 trillion in spending form by calling (800) 471–9424. And the num- hard to get every household to fill out the will be directed by Census findings. Lott’s bers still can be vastly improved as the cen- paperwork. Opponents are wrong to depict a beloved Mississippi, with one of the lowest sus moves on to the next phase, where census basic government service as an invasion of response rates and highest illiteracy rates, employees, called enumerators, start making privacy. could be shortchanged on education dollars. house calls.

VerDate 20-MAR-2000 04:00 Apr 11, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10AP7.049 pfrm02 PsN: H10PT1 H2002 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 10, 2000 ‘‘Someone will be knocking on their door,’’ Specifically, demographic information is simply no other way to collect this nec- said Prewitt, though it will make the count- used to plan for services like schools, hos- essary and constitutionally required infor- ing operation needlessly more expensive. It pitals and roads. It may alert the govern- mation. costs about $3 to process a mail-in form com- ment to focus its resources in areas report- We have very few obligations as citizens of pared with $35 for a household visit. ing high rates of unemployment, or pinpoint this country. If our participatory form of The cheap-shot comments of some Repub- regions that require better child care. State government is to work we must honor those licans—including Texas Gov. George W. and federal governments also allocate fund- obligations. Answering the census is such an Bush, the GOP presidential candidate, and ing to individual counties, cities and con- obligation. As an American I am proud to do Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R– gressional districts for health care, schools so, since I have no evidence whatsoever to Miss.)—could, knowingly or not, hijack the and libraries; all of this information is based fear that my government will divulge the census. on the census results. The government’s sup- personal information that I give them. On the average, about one in six house- port is critical to the maintenance of these holds gets a long census form that asks a institutions, and so the number of people [From the Washington Post, Apr. 9, 2000] total of 53 questions, compared with seven on who report living in a given community is ANSWER THIS QUESTION: HOW DID THE CENSUS the short questionnaire. directly related to how much financing will BECOME OUR WHIPPING BOY? Lott and Bush suggested that individuals be allocated to that particular community. (By William Casey) don’t answer any census question they con- The number of inhabitants reported in Ten years ago this month, I was wearing a sider impertinent. each region also determines congressional Boston Red Sox batting helmet to work. ‘‘If they are worried about the government apportionment. District lines are drawn with No, I wasn’t playing in the shadow of intruding into their personal lives, they respect to census reports, and the number of Fenway Park’s hallowed Green Monster of a ought to think about it,’’ Bush said. Lott members in the House of Representatives ac- wall or tending a BoSox souvenir concession. was forced to backtrack after he realized corded to each state is also based on census The helmet was just a tool I used during my that his home state, Mississippi, is near the information. If more underrepresented citi- short-lived career as an enumerator for the bottom when it comes to mail-in response zens completed their census forms, they 1990 Census. It was my job to track down rates, 47 percent on Wednesday, compared might begin to claim deserved representa- miscreants who—for one reason or another— with 56 percent for Illinois and 58 percent for tion in Congress. had not returned their census forms in a Indiana. Ohio is the champ so far, with 62 According to the Los Angeles Times, low timely fashion. The buildings I covered in percent. responses to the 1990 Census deprived Cali- downtown Minneapolis were overflowing Lott and the other complaining congres- fornia of an estimated $2 billion and four with young people, so setting myself up at a sional Republicans—no Democrats so far— congressional seats over the last decade. Un- table in the lobby—official headgear in are whiners and intellectual phonies. They less an increasing percentage of forms are re- place—seemed a good way to pull in the curi- are objecting to questions that (1) were pre- turned, this discrepancy may only get worse. ous and disarm the suspicious. As residents sented for review to Congress in 1997 and 1998 Not only can the new census correct the trickled in from shift work or nights out, and (2) were on census forms that went out omissions made by the 1990 version, but the they invariably wandered over to see what under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George revised questions provide previously unex- was up. With a little pleasant persuasion, Bush. plored, yet important, statistical data. The presto, the short form—even the long form!— The census has asked about plumbing fa- 2000 Census is unique because it allows indi- was complete. cilities for decades. There are bigger privacy viduals to claim mixed ethnic and racial It worked. Back then, anyway. issues looming right now, especially with the backgrounds. Compiling this information Today, given the grumbling in some quar- Internet, than being asked about flush toi- will give the government a more accurate ters about the intrusiveness of the 2000 Cen- lets in your home. perspective on racial dynamics in our soci- sus, I might need more than a batting hel- And for those who don’t like the questions ety and can only help in overcoming one of met to do that job. We have such unhappy about income and mortgages and the like, America’s biggest social problems—racial customers as Mr. M. Smith, a gentleman well, the government already has a lot of in- conflict. from Virginia Beach who was so annoyed by formation from tax returns. The Census Bu- Worries about the long form’s intrusive- the long form that ‘‘I threw mine in the reau does not swap data with other agencies. ness, however, are legitimate considering the trash where it belongs’’ and then made his Tax cheaters or people who keep things from detailed nature of some questions. Still, the civil disobedience public in a letter to Nor- spouses or partners may not like answering census count is a vital responsibility that folk’s Virginian-Pilot. (Dear Mr. Smith: the questions. But there is no right to abso- helps facilitate the functioning of a demo- Those questions have been standard on the lute privacy in the United States. If there cratic government. census for many decades.) were, height, weight and date of birth would If you haven’t completed the census, you Then there is Mr. P. Graham of Saline, not be on a driver’s license. can still do so. Internet census forms are Mich., who wrote a letter to the Detroit Cooperating with the census means getting available until April 15. In addition, census News accusing the Census Bureau of pro- more from the government you already are workers will be following up with non-re- moting ‘‘alienation’’ from government and paying for. It is selfish—and self-defeating— spondents by telephone. Go to asserting that most of the long form’s 53 not to be counted. www.2000.census.gov for more information. questions are ‘‘none of its business.’’ (Dear Take a few minutes to finish the question- Mr. Graham: Contrary to popular belief, the [From the Daily Bruin, Apr. 7, 2000] naire, obey the law and practice some civic Census Bureau is asking those specific ques- COMPLETING CENSUS FORM HAS FAR- responsibility. Make sure your voice is tions at the direction of Congress, which REACHING BENEFITS heard. likes to use the census to collect information Though some people are skeptical of the it has decided it needs.) United States Census, completing these [From the Atlanta Journal, Apr. 8, 2000] Add the comments from such Republican forms can lead to real benefits—including heavyweights as Senate Majority Leader CONVERSATION STARTER: DON’T FALL PREY TO better schools and libraries, quality health Trent Lott, Texas Gov. George W. Bush and PARANOIA ABOUT QUESTIONS care and up-to-date national demographic Oklahoma Rep. Tom Coburn—all of whom profiles. (By Harvey Lipman) have obligingly bashed the census for alleg- Though the official due date passed nearly Fear is a natural human emotion. It keeps edly invading the nation’s privacy—and you a week ago, residents can still be counted. us safe in times of danger. Fear based on would think that the Census Bureau has sud- The Census Bureau reports that only 55 per- facts is caution, but baseless fear is just par- denly transformed itself from an agency that cent of U.S. residents have returned their anoia. once just counted noses into one that is just forms so far. The fact is that the Census Bureau has plain nosy. The slow response is caused, in part, by the never released any of the individual informa- This is—excuse my bluntness, please—a lot popular sentiment that the census, espe- tion that it gathers, not to the IRS, not to of nonsense. It’s not the Census Bureau or its cially the long version of the form, invades the FBI, not to the president, not to any- forms that have changed. It’s us. individuals’ privacy. While worries about body. Never. That is a fact. The information Or, more precisely, the fuss is one more privacy are understandable, those who fear gathered once every 10 years is compiled and dismaying result of the pervasive presence of filling out the census should remember a the summary information, and only the sum- consumerism and marketing in our lives. I consequence of their inaction: Neglecting to mary information, is used to determine allo- find it puzzling, I admit, that people are bent participate can lead to a significantly inac- cations essential to all of us, things like rep- out of shape by a form sent to them once a curate count. resentation in Congress and federal funding decade when—on a daily basis—they habit- The short form poses generic questions of education. ually reveal (willingly and unwillingly) the like name, age, gender and race, while the The Census Bureau has proposed using sta- most private of data to advertisers, health longer form asks for more specific social and tistical-sampling techniques as an alternate, insurers and Internet companies. Over the economic characteristics, such as individ- less burdensome way, to obtain some of the past 10 years, even the simplest sales trans- uals’ occupations and housing types. Re- data, but it has been rebuffed by Congress, action has become an opportunity to capture sponses to these questions help determine the Supreme Court and even The Atlanta personal details that can be sold and resold how critical resources are distributed and Journal. Until such time as these less (why do you think the cashier wants to know which areas need those resources the most. invasive methods are permitted, there is your phone number?). It’s come to the point

VerDate 20-MAR-2000 04:00 Apr 11, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10AP7.039 pfrm02 PsN: H10PT1 April 10, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2003 where you can rarely sit down to dinner rectly. Sometimes a chance to sound off Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, without receiving a ‘‘courtesy call’’ from about their objections was required. I was I rise today to speak about an issue of great someone who knows a lot more about you happy to oblige. ‘‘Whatever it takes’’ was my importance in the year 2000. than just your area code. Those of us con- motto—at least during those six weeks. cerned about confidentiality might focus on This year’s census has become a snapshot I wish to express thanks to all Americans the staggering amount of personal informa- in a way that I didn’t expect: It reflects not who are participating in the Census 2000. You tion maintained by largely invisible compa- just how we live, but how we feel about our- are making an enormous difference to your nies with names like Acxiom and Experian. selves and our society. community and setting our nation on the best Yet people think that they still have their Take, for example, the subject of race. If, path for the new century. ‘‘privacy’’ and that the government looms as as a society, we are stalemated on issues of As of last night, 60% of Americans have the greatest threat to taking it away. race, then how can we expect a census form completed and sent in their census forms. to solve them, or even make them clearer? How did the census become the whipping Nevertheless, we have much work to do, Mr. boy, the embodiment of Big Brother, a waste After reading through the seemingly endless of time, a symbol of oppression? The Census and convoluted choices that the census short Speaker. We need to reach to the 40% of Bureau has an exemplary history of keeping form offers (‘‘If person 1 considers his/her Americans who have yet to complete their the data it collects confidential, but that race to include two or more races . . .’’), is it census forms. fact does not seem to have made a dent in any surprise that the precooked racial and Regrettably in previous weeks, when every- the collective consciousness. It’s easier to ethnic categories seem unsatisfactory? I’ve one has been working to improve the initial re- blame the census than to confront the world heard more than a few people say they wrote sponse rate, we had Members of Congress, we’ve created. in ‘‘human’’—which seems, in fact, like a including prominent leaders of the Republican Besides functioning as a worker bee on very human reaction to the country’s cur- that 1990 census, I am a long-time user of rent fascination and obsession with race and party, people who should better, tell the Amer- census information. On both academic and ethnicity. ican public that the census was optional. journalistic projects, I’ve come to appreciate Because the census at its core serves a po- Unfortunately, the reality remains that the (and depend on) the richness and reliability litical purpose—determining the number of Census Bureau has missed millions of per- of the material—which just about anyone representatives from each state—the count sons in conducting each decennial census, es- can acquire, understand and put to work in a has always had a political dimension. But I pecially minorities, the poor, children, newly thousand ways. The notion of turning to par- don’t recall the census forms being a hot arrived immigrants, and the homeless. We ticular census-driven data sets a few years item in the presidential election years of 1960 cannot allow this to happen again. and 1980. This year, it appears, any issue from now and discovering that the 2000 infor- For these reasons, of course, it should mation is unusable because of ‘‘citizen non- properly framed and spun is fodder for ‘‘prin- cooperation’’ is more than an annoyance. It cipled’’ stands by presidential candidates. come as no surprise that I am disappointed by makes my blood run cold. One day is could be AL GORE’S sudden, self- recent comments by highly respected individ- A good deal of the complaining is directed serving switch on the Elian Gonzalez case; uals that advise Americans not to perform toward the long form, a questionnaire sent the next, it could be George W. Bush, aiding their civic duty. As reported in numerous news to one of every six households in the past and abetting census resisters. ‘‘I can under- stories, some lawmakers on the other side month. It’s about the same length as the 1990 stand,’’ the GOP nominee-to-be said, ‘‘why urged citizens not to answer questions regard- version and shorter than some previous cen- people don’t want to give over that informa- ing the long form. sus. There are changes—additions, deletions, tion to the government. If I had the long Yet over two years, every Member of Con- rewordings—but it’s basically the same old form, I’m not so sure I would do it, either.’’ thing. Not to be outdone, Nebraska’s rising star gress received a detailed list of the questions Continuity is a strong factor when it of a senator, Republican CHUCK HAGEL, of- to be asked on the long form, including a de- comes to census matters. It’s not as if every fered to introduce legislation that would scription of the need for asking it and specific 10 years, things start from ground zero. Just make question-answering optional. (Memo to legal requirements supporting it. The time for the opposite. The national statistical snap- the esteemed Mr. HAGEL: The Census 2000 input on the question was then. The time to shots that census results help construct are questions were sent to Congress for review in achieve an accurate census count is now. most useful when they build on what went 1998. No squawk was raised then.) With this The low percentage of census forms being before. kind of ‘‘leadership’’ out there—explicitly It’s true that census questionnaires are undermining a program that requires indi- returned in certain cities with high minority longer and more complex than they were in vidual citizens to pull together in the inter- populations is alarming. We must do all we the first half of the 20th century—but that’s est of the larger whole—no wonder skep- can to change response rates. These remarks hardly surprising. Those were times before ticism about the process is rising. only discourage faster response rates. the increased scope of governmental activity After litigation over the Census Bureau’s Even the Governor of the State of Texas and responsibility that we take for granted proposed use of statistical sampling went to has said he supports his party's position today: an era when there was no Medicare, the Supreme Court—and sampling was ruled against the use of modern statistical meth- Medicaid or Social Security, no program of out for apportionment purposes, although its odsÐmethods that would get a more accurate federal assistance to housing, minimal fed- use for redistricting within states remains eral involvement with transportation spend- an open question—one might have hoped count of America's African Americans, His- ing and so forth. that by the time April 1, 2000, rolled around, panic, Asian American, and American Indian There’s a certain irony, however, in the we would have gotten our act together as a populations. fact that the census hasn’t changed much nation and proceeded with the job. I cannot As a member of the Congressional Caucus last time around. Census 2000 mechanics help but wonder if the census is falling vic- Task Force on Census, I am obliged to con- could have been vastly different—more effi- tim to our new millennium’s variety of cul- vey my concern that no one is left out of the cient, more accurate and much less expen- tural solipsism. Societal building blocks Census process. Unlike in the 1990 Census sive—but they’re not. Carefully field-tested such as family, neighborhood and commu- where so many minorities were disproportion- efforts to streamline the counting process nity are subjected today to a wide range of via statistical sampling were opposed during pressures—largely destructive. These insti- ately missed or ``undercounted'' as we say, the past few years for political reasons. It’s tutions were, to a substantial extent, the everyone must be counted in the Census common knowledge—although it’s typically basis for successful past censuses. But the 2000. wrapped in layers of doublespeak—that Re- principle of doing something for the common Our goal for Census 2000 must be the most publicans see undercounting in urban areas good—for society’s good—doesn’t stand a accurate census possible. We all know that as equating to a GOP advantage. (To be sure, chance if society’s leaders won’t speak up for accurate census data has proven vital to peo- if the sampling method threatened Demo- it. ple of color, both economically and politically. cratic voting bases, then sides would no On Thursday, I read that hopes are ‘‘dim- Texas lost almost $1 billion due to the 1990 doubt be switched.) A count based on statis- ming for a timely and accurate count’’ in tical sampling not only would have been less Census 2000. If response rates remain undercount. Over 486,000 Texans were expensive, it would have helped prevent the underwhelming, that will necessitate time- missed in the 1990 Census, which prevented higher levels of background noise we’re expe- consuming and expensive enumerator work Texas from securing critically-needed federal riencing at the moment. to track down, cajole, persuade and gather funding for health care, transportation, hous- There have always been ample numbers of information from those who have not yet ing, and community development. people who balk at completing their ques- submitted it. Remember, ‘‘whatever it In the city of Houston, 67,000 people were tionnaires. In 1990, my fellow enumerators takes.’’ undercounted in 1990. and I had to deal with people who—like our But later on, after things have settled A comprehensive analysis of federal funding friends Mr. SMITH and Mr. GRAHAM above— down, perhaps a lesson regarding the fra- were not inclined to cooperate. Mostly they gility of our social and political fabric will was prepared by PriceWaterhouseCoopers. were reluctant; occasionally they were al- have been learned. It’s often said, but still The analysis was one at the request of the most hostile. But the majority of them com- true: It’s easier to tear things down than it Presidential members of the U.S. Census pleted their forms when asked to do so di- is to build them up. Monitoring Board. According to

VerDate 20-MAR-2000 04:00 Apr 11, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A10AP7.040 pfrm02 PsN: H10PT1 H2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 10, 2000 PriceWaterhouseCoopers, the population Data from the question on how long it takes this effort, is the gentleman from the ``undercount'' similar to that which occurred in to commute to work is used by federal, state, 4th District of Texas (Mr. HALL). This the 1990 Census would cost 26 states a min- local and private transportation planners to evening I am very honored to have the imum of $9.1 billion. States with the largest help design new roads, bus routes, and mass gentleman from Texas with me to help numerical undercounts would be hit the hard- transit transportation and to manage traffic not only the discussion about the tax est. California would lose more than $5 billion, congestion, as well as to distribute federal limitation amendment but also for an Texas nearly $2 billion, and Florida $5 million. transportation dollars. opportunity for us to discuss this. I am particularly concerned that 120,267 are Indeed, data from the question on the vet- Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman estimated to be undercounted from Census eran's status are used to plan the location of from the 4th District of Texas, a life- 2000 in Harris County, Texas. veteran's hospitals and to efficiently deliver long Democrat, a conservative, and a Moreover, $185 billion in federal funds are veterans health-care and nursing services. man who understands it is important allocated each year based on each state's re- Your answers to Census 2000 are abso- to make it more difficult to raise taxes spective share of the population, as deter- lutely critical to ensure that every possible dol- on taxpayers. mined every 10 years by the Census. The lar is made available to the poor, the sick, and Mr. HALL of Texas. I thank the gen- PriceWaterhouseCoopers study examined the the neglected in our communities. tleman from Texas for yielding. 15 programs analyzed by the General Ac- The U.S. Census only comes around once Mr. Speaker, I am here today, of counting Office in its 1999 report on the fund- every ten years, but its information is used course, to express my support for the ing impact of the 1990 census undercount. throughout the decade. Together, let's make tax limitation amendment. I have been The eight programs most affected by the sure that everyone is heard. for this amendment from the word go. census are Medicaid, Foster Care, Rehabilita- f I really do not understand that it tion Services Block Grants, Substance Abuse TAX LIMITATION CONSTITUTIONAL ought to be a Republican or a Demo- Prevention and Treatment Block Grants Adop- AMENDMENT cratic thrust or a liberal or conserv- tion Assistance, Child Care and Development The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under ative thrust because I think it is an Block Grants, and Vocational Education Block the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- American thrust. Requiring a two- Grants. uary 6, 1999, the gentleman from Texas thirds vote to raise taxes would force Our communities cannot afford to squander very serious consideration on this leg- (Mr. SESSIONS) is recognized for 60 min- the opportunity to secure desperately needed utes as the designee of the majority islation at any time that they would resources to make these programs available leader. attempt to raise taxes; and it would re- to everyone. An accurate Census is the only Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I take quire, as the gentleman from Texas has way to assure that local communities receive this opportunity tonight to discuss a said, a supermajority vote on any pro- their `fair share' of federal spending; an inac- very important issue that is going to posal that would impact the pocket- curate count will shortchange the affected be on the floor of the House of Rep- books of every hard-working American. communities for an entire decade. resentatives this week. It is called the The major test of this legislation Keeping response rates high must remain a tax limitation amendment. The tax would be not what class supports it. We primary purpose in obtaining an accurate cen- limitation amendment, known as H.J. are in for at least 5 wonderful years in sus. Recent news stories have only high- Res. 37, is a very, very simple amend- this country. We now have, rather than lighted this need. Texas has a 33 percent re- ment that was first brought to life the deficits of the 1980s and the 1990s, a turn, but the fourth largest city in the nation some 10 years ago by the gentleman surplus; and we are going to have good only has 26 percent return. That is the city of from the 6th District of Texas (Mr. times for the next 5, maybe for the Houston. This is precisely what we must BARTON). next 10, years to have money to be that change. Only a high response rate to the Cen- Last week we had a press conference that we ought to be for people who sus 2000 questionnaires will enable our com- where we talked about, in essence, the have no lobby, pay a lot of it on our munity to secure desperately needed funds. passing of the mantle from the gen- debt. That is tantamount to a tax And while some have recently raised con- tleman from Texas to myself, being the break for everyone. cerns about the legality or constitutionality of lead for the tax limitation amendment I think that if we would go into our the long form, those only serve as a distrac- where we will bring to the floor of the district, and I say ‘‘our district’’ be- tion. In fact, the Census Bureau has not pros- House of Representatives on Wednes- cause the gentleman and I share dis- ecuted anyone for not sending in their Census day an opportunity for all Members not tricts in Texas. I have part of Dallas form since the 1960s. They are interested in only to fully debate but also to vote on County in my district. He has a much getting complete and reliable data; they do not something which I believe is very, very larger part of it. I have most of Kauf- want to jeopardize the public trust. important. man. He has a part of Kaufman in his The long form is a sound investmentÐfor a The essence of H.J. Res. 37 is that we district. He has a part of Smith County relatively small additional cost, information of are going to make it more difficult for which is Tyler; Tyler, Texas. We rep- very high quality about a number of subjects Washington to raise taxes on America. resent the same type of people, people is collected for many geographic areas. The That is what this debate is all about. It who want less government, people who return on this investment is concrete informa- will be about doing those things that want to keep the money that they tion that serves the basis for sound public pol- Washington talks about, making it work for, people who want to plan icy decisions and that supports the accurate more difficult by requiring a super- ahead, people who want to have money allocation of over billions of dollars. majority, a two-thirds vote on the floor in September to buy school clothes Community leaders use the long form for of the House of Representatives and in without having the taxes that are put planning a wide range of activities, including the Senate to raise taxes. Part of what on them, that have been historically neighborhood revitalization, economic devel- we are talking about today, we would put on them by a 50 percent vote. A lot opment and improved facilitates and services. assume, is just a conservative idea, and of those votes like the Tax Reform Act We need the long form to build highways, I think that that would be correct. But of 1986 would never have happened if it roads, bridges and tunnels in areas that need it is a bipartisan idea. It is an idea not had taken a two-thirds vote. only that has grassroots all across them. And planners need information about b where people live and work and the times they America, people who are pro-business 2030 leave for work. but it also has people who consider So I think if they would go out into Each long form question provides valuable, themselves Democrats, Democrats their district, into any part of our dis- indeed essential, information for important even, who understand that raising trict, and talk to the first 10 people public policy and business decisions. taxes should not be easy, because taxes they see and ask them would you like For example, data from the question on the come from people who get up and go to to see it a little bit more difficult for number of telephones in the home area is work every day, work diligently, hon- the Congress of the United States to used to help plan local 911 emergency serv- est people, taxpayers, and then are giv- take money out of your left hip pocket, ices. They also are used to help implement ing too much money to Washington, what do you think their answer would the Older Americans Act to provide emer- D.C. be? gency and health-care services to homebound One of the persons who is the co- Mr. SESSIONS. Let me say this: the seniors without phone service. chairman of this effort, a coleader in gentleman from Texas, whose district

VerDate 20-MAR-2000 04:00 Apr 11, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10AP7.050 pfrm02 PsN: H10PT1