59

Mr. STIERHEIM. Yes, thank you, Mr. Chairman. My name is
Merrett Stierheim and I am county manager of Miami-Dade Coun-
ty. This is my second time around. I have only been here for a few
months now, but I spent almost 10 years between 1976 and 1986
as county manager when we went through Mariel and Haitian ref-
ugees and so forth.

At that time, we assimilated about 160,000 people in a period of
6 months. And if you think of a city of 160,000 people and you
think of the infrastructure and social requirements, you can appre-
ciate what this community went through in its school systems and
its hospitals across the length and breadth of this county.

We are a very popular destination. We have almost 10 million
overnight visitors that come here for tourism, but we are also a
popular destination for refugees and aliens. And I would respect-

ly submit to you that this community has, for the almost 40
years that I have been here, been consistently undercounted. I
think Representative Meek was extremely eloquent and I want to
compliment her for her passionate remarks on this issue. This has
imposed added burdens on the community.

IT think one of the reasons that President Clinton selected the
greater Miami area as the host for the Summit of the Americas
was because we really represent the cultures of the western hemi-
sphere. We virtually have populations from every country in Cen-
tral, South America, and the Caribbean as well as North America.

This undercount that we talk about, you know, I have always felt
that it was in the range of 100,000 people, sometimes people say
it is more, but 100,000 people who are either homeless, working as
domestics in homes, nannies, caring for the house, working for
landscaping, gardening companies, or selling fruit and flowers on
the streets. And one of the reasons they are here is because of our
diversity, they blend into the community very easily and it is easy
to be unnoticed in a community of diversity.

As I listened to the testimony, I thought that you might give con-
sideration to urban centers that have that kind of diversity—and
we are not alone. Los Angeles, certainly New York City, and San
Francisco are cities that come to mind where some special efforts,
some special provisions could be given. Ideally, it would be uniform
across the country, but I think in cases like ours and the other cit-
ies that I mentioned, and some that I did not, a special effort is
in order to be equitable and fair, realizing the significance of the
population count and what it means in terms of Federal dollars
and programs. So we offer—and I believe that this is, as Senator
Margolis mentioned, and as in the Mayor’s submission, we offer
some suggestions to you in the most constructive way, that we hope
that you will consider in your deliberations.

No. 1, and the marketing of the census by involving and con-
tracting with local firms, churches and other groups with dem-
onstrated expertise in reaching targeted populations and hard-to-
count groups. That is a very specific effort that I think would be—
we think would be very beneficial.

No. 2, make greater use of current administrative records such
as drivers’ licenses, school enrollment records, real property records
and vital statistics to determine the existence of additional ad-
dresses, especially informal housing units, and housing in nonresi-


123

Ms. Opal Jones
December 1998
Page 2

During the dress rehearsals, GAO consistently heard from local officials associated with
the Committees that they lacked the human and financial resources to promote the census.

‘A. We heard today that a Complete Count Committee was created for Miami. Has a
Complete Count Committee been created for Dade County?

B. What expectations has the Census Bureau set for the Committee? Specifically,
what expectations were set regarding staffing, funding, and outreach activities?

C. In your opinion, are the Census Bureau's expectations reasonable/achievable? If
not, how would you change them?

D. What more can the Census Bureau do to facilitate the outreach effort in Miami,
Dade County, and Florida?

Please forward your responses to the Subcommittee at B-350 Raybum House Office Building by
close of business January 11, 1999. My questions and your answers will be part of the official
record of the December 10, 1998, hearing. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle
Ash at (202) 225-5420. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and assistance.

Sincerely,

[ak 8 ely

Carolyn B. Maloney
Ranking Minority Member
Subcommittee on the Census

cc: The Honorable Dan Miller
Chairman, Subcommittee on the Census


25

Major Counties Estimated Number Missed Undercount Rate (%)
Alachua 4,455, 2.394
Bay 2,402 1.629
Brevard 5,975 1,476
Broward 21,906 W715
Charlotte 923 0.825
Clay 1,776 1.648
Collier 2,859 1.845
Dade 74,206 3.69
Duval 14,850 2.159
Escambia 5,531 2.061
Hemando 936 0.918
Hillsborough 19,357 2.268
Lake 1,899 1.233
lee 4,476 1.318
Leon 4128 2.10
Manatee 2,902 1.352
Marion 2,910 1.472
Martin 1,220 1.195
Okaloosa 2,570 1.76
Orange 16,131 2.326
Osceola 1,992 1.816
Paim Beach 13,246 1.511
Pasco 2,563 0.904
Pinellas 8,779 1.02
Polk 6,536 1.587
St.Lucia 2,383 1.562
Sarasota 2,145 0.766
Seminole 5,207 1.779
Volusia 5,025 1.338

‘Source: US, Bur ofthe Cena web ad Poa Emerson Survey


149

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA

pn ‘STEPHEN P. CLARK CENTER

OFRICE OF COUNTY MANAGER
‘Sure 2910
wow. fe gTREC
saunne, FLORIDA ‘58128-1094
(Gon) arses
January 14, 1999
Honorable Carolyn B. Maloney
Ranking Minority
House Subcommittee on the Census
2157 Rayburn House Office Building
‘Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congresswoman Maloney:

‘Thank you for the opportunity to testify before the Subcommittee on the Consus and for
bringing such a critical matter before the people of Miami-Dade County.

Both the Fords Office of Ezoaomis mo Demographic Resarch andthe Senne

on Regulated Industries have done work on teapportionment issues.
‘According to sof se office, alhough itis bard to pris craly, end nt knowing
the population of the other 50 states which has to be factored into the 2600
sppartionment, Florida would likely gain one, possibly two congressional seats
(assuming a two percent undercount), Additional information requests may be directed
to Mr. John Guthrie, Staff Director, Senate Committee on Regulated Industries at (850)
487-5957.

In response to your question about Florida's welfare laws, the statute does not make any

transportation assistance, child care, and medical care fora period of ane year. In
contrast, the level of food stamps benefits would be based on the household income,
Finally, there is no weiting period for benefits to be reinstated once the worker ia no
longer employed, as long as the maximum time limit to receive benefits has not been
reached. In Florida the time limit is forty-eight months.

hope this information is helpful. Should you have any further questions, please do not
hesitate to contact me.

R. Stiecheim
‘Manager


COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REFORM AND OVERSIGHT
DAN BURTON, Indiana, Chairman

BENJAMIN A. GILMAN, New York HENRY A. WAXMAN, California
J. DENNIS HASTERT, Illinois TOM LANTOS, California
CONSTANCE A. MORELLA, Maryland ROBERT E. WISE, Jr., West Virginia
CHRISTOPHER SHAYS, Connecticut MAJOR R. OWENS, New York
CHRISTOPHER COX, California EDOLPHUS TOWNS, New York
ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida PAUL E. KANJORSKI, Pennsylvania
JOHN M. McHUGH, New York GARY A. CONDIT, California
STEPHEN HORN, California CAROLYN B. MALONEY, New York
JOHN L. MICA, Florida THOMAS M. BARRETT, Wisconsin
THOMAS M. DAVIS, Virginia ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON, Washington,
DAVID M. MCINTOSH, Indiana De
MARK E. SOUDER, Indiana CHAKA FATTAH, Pennsylvania
JOE SCARBOROUGH, Florida ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS, Maryland
JOHN B. SHADEGG, Arizona DENNIS J. KUCINICH, Ohio
STEVEN C. LATOURETTE, Ohio ROD R. BLAGOJEVICH, Illinois
MARSHALL “MARK” SANFORD, South DANNY K. DAVIS, Illinois

Carolina JOHN F. TIERNEY, Massachusetts
JOHN E. SUNUNU, New Hampshire JIM TURNER, Texas
PETE SESSIONS, Texas THOMAS H. ALLEN, Maine
MICHAEL PAPPAS, New Jersey HAROLD E. FORD, JRr., Tennessee
VINCE SNOWBARGER, Kansas —
BOB BARR, Georgia BERNARD SANDERS, Vermont
DAN MILLER, Florida (Independent)

RON LEWIS, Kentucky
KEVIN BINGER, Staff Director
Daniet R. MOLL, Deputy Staff Director
Davip A. Kass, Deputy Counsel and Parliamentarian
CARLA MARTIN, Chief Clerk
Putt SCHILIRO, Minority Stoff Director

SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE CENSUS
DAN MILLER, Florida, Chairman

THOMAS M. DAVIS, Virginia CAROLYN B. MALONEY, New York
JOHN B. SHADEGG, Arizona ROD R. BLAGOJEVICH, Mlinois
VINCE SNOWBARGER, Kansas DANNY K. DAVIS, Illinois
RON LEWIS, Kentucky

Ex OFFicio
DAN BURTON, Indiana HENRY A. WAXMAN, California

‘THOMAS B. HOFELLER, Staff Director
Ketty Duquin, Professional Staff Member
LARA CHAMBERLIN, Professional Staff Member
MICHELLE AsH, Minority Counsel

aD


119

for Members to submit questions for the record and the witnesses
to submit written answers as soon as practical. Without object, so
ordered.

I also ask unanimous consent that all Members and witnesses’
written opening statements be included in the record, along with
any extraneous material. Without objection, so ordered.

mn behalf of the subcommittee, I would like to thank everybody
once again. Feel free to contact our offices or through Co: S-
woman Meek’s office with any other suggestions or advice. We are
moving ahead on this, 15 months from today the census forms go
in the mail and we need to make sure we have the most accurate
census in history. And we are going to work toward that goal.

Thank you all very much.

Mrs. MEEK. Mr. Chairman, I know——

Mr. MILLER. Congresswoman Meek.

Mrs. MEEK. The Alliance for Aging, under Mr. Stokesberry, is
having a reception immediately after this in the atrium on the
third floor. So all of you are invited to attend. That is Miami hospi-
tality.

Mr. MILLER. Meeting adjourned.

(Whereupon, at 4:52 p.m., the subcommittee was adjourned.]

[Additional information submitted for the hearing record follows:]


68

STATEMENTS OF JOHN STOKESBERRY, DIRECTOR, AREA ALLI-
ANCE FOR AGING; OPAL JONES, CHIEF OF STAFF, COMMIS-
SIONER BETTY FERGUSON; DR. DARIO MORENO, ASSOCIATE
PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE, FLOR-
IDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY; MARLEINE BASTIEN,
L.C.S.W., COMMISSION ON THE CENSUS 2000, HAITIAN-AMER-
ICAN GRASSROOTS COALITION; AND LYNN SUMMERS, EXEC-
UTIVE DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP FOR HOME-
LESS

Mr. STOKESBERRY. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Congresswoman
Maloney, Congresswoman Meek, distinguished guests and friends.
On behalf of the 400,000 elders residing in Miami-Dade and Mon-
roe Counties, we welcome the opportunity to address you and
thank you for inviting us to share our concerns regarding the criti-
cal issues of the upcoming 2000 census.

Before beginning my formal oral presentation, I would like the
record to reflect that the Alliance for Aging, Inc. is a private not-
for-profit community-based organization governed by a voluntary
board of 27 directors and a 55-member advisory council representa-
tive of our community at large. Although I am appearing as a non-
governmental witness, our agency, as the federally designated area
Agency on Aging for Dade—Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties, ad-
ministers approximately $9 million in Federal grants under Titles
III_ and VII of the Older Americans Act, $1.2 million from the Office
of Refugee Resettlement, $1.6 million from the U.S. Department of
Agriculture and $203,000 from Emergency Home Energy Assist-
ance for the Elderly Programs, for a total of over $12 million.

Today you have heard from, or will soon hear from, elected offi-
cials, public policymakers and other community leaders eloquently
describing the devastating consequences of undercounting and its
impact on our community, which has plagued us for a decade. Due
to the unique circumstances which disproportionately affect south
Florida, we now know that the errors made in 1990 resulted in av-
erage undercount percentages far exceeding, in some cases, dou-
bling the average percentage undercounts in other parts of Florida
and the Nation.

My testimony today will focus on only one segment of the popu-
lation to be counted, the elderly. It is my sincere hope, Mr. Chair-
man, that all of us gathered today are dedicated to the same goal
regardless of political affiliation, ethnic or cultural heritage or sta-
tus and station in the community. That goal must be a fair and ac-
curate census for all America—as accurate as humanly possible
and modern science can provide.

You are all too familiar with the well documented causes of his-
torical undercounting—illiteracy, apathy, indifference, lack of infor-
mation, language barriers and transiency—problems which have
always faced the Census Bureau and which disproportionately af-
fect the poor, ethnic minorities, people of color and those living in
urban areas.

But generally speaking, these undercounted populations are usu-
ally unconcerned with whether they are counted or not. South Flor-
ida, as much or more than any other area in this country, suffers
a different challenge, it is a challenge of fear. Unfortunately, south
Florida is home to tens of thousands of residents who not only do


79

Mr. MorENo. Let me congratulate the committee for coming to
Miami-Dade because I think this county represents a microcosm of
the daunting task that faces the Census Bureau for the census in
the year 2000. Miami is truly the city of the future in that it is
often among the first metropolitan areas in the United States to
confront the problems created by rapid urban growth, poverty and
growing immigration. The crisis that Miami faces today are the
urban problems of tomorrow for Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix.

Miami teaches that there are no simple formulas for resolving
the monumental task of census-taking in a complex urban area.
Statistical models, which may marginally make a more accurate
enumeration are also fraught with the politicalization of the proc-
ess. I come to argue before the committee that the Census Bureau
should work more closely in partnership with agencies which today
are serving large numbers of both our poorest citizens and new im-
migrants.

As you have heard numerous times, Miami-Dade County suffered
an undercount of about 70,000 individuals in the 1990 census. I
think there were three reasons for this undercount. The first is the
demographic revolution that has occurred in Dade County as a re-
sult of rapid immigration. It is—no other metropolitan area in the
United States has been as rapidly affected by immigration as
Miami. Let me remind the committee that as late as 1950 less than
5 percent of the population of Miami-Dade County was foreign
born, today a majority of the citizens of Miami-Dade County are
foreign born.

We remember that the 1980’s was the era of immigration, with
the Haitian boat people, the Mariel boat lift and the Nicaraguan
revolution. What we do not remember is that the 1990 figures for
immigration for Miami-Dade County are just as dramatic. Just last
year 41,000 immigrants became permanent residents of Miami-
Dade County. There is always lurking in the background of this
county the possibility of another immigration crisis. We do not need
to speculate that if the—that if Hu Chavez's regime in Venezuela
radicalizes politics in Venezuela, it there could very soon be a
Venezuelan immigration crisis in Miami-Dade County.

So this county is very—is home to new immigrants. These new
immigrants are hard to count because they are often living with
relatives or in temporary accommodations.

The second reason for the 1990 undercount is the large percent-
ages of Dade immigrants are elderly; 15 percent of Dade County’s
Hispanic population is over 65 years of age. About 50,000 of these
elderly immigrants are isolated in their use of one 1. re. These
people are very hard to reach. Needless to say, some elderly immi-
grants, given the recent vote fraud scandals in the city of Miami,
are very reluctant to answer questions dealing with the govern-
ment. So you have the fear factor rising and especially with the el-
derly immigrant population.

The final factor for the undercount—and all the other witnesses
have discussed this—is the pervasiveness of poverty in Dade Coun-
ty. We have to remember that Miami is the fourth poorest city in
the United States, but also Florida City and Opa Locka among the
top 10 poorest cities in the United States. So Miami-Dade County
has 3 of the top 10 poorest cities. Metropolitan Dade County is


|

JAMES L KNIGHT (19091991)

ib

The Herald

32A_THE HERALD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1998 eno

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Q yeh hl nn i

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128

3. The Centus Bureau enumerators hand out privacy notices when they visit households, Is
that enough?

A Pile net enough to han a en Because of the specific needs of hard to reach

to receive information and the applications. That's why the educational carapalgn Is so vital!
Additionally, census takers must be well trained and able to develop a trusting relationship with
household members. They need not onty be able to speak Creole, but they must also possess the
‘emphatic and interviewing skills which will allow them to build the trust needed to faclinate
understanding and foster cooperation. The Census Bureau can use the expertise of Grassroots
Coalition and community based organizations to train census takers.

4 ‘An important pat ofthe Connus Bure outreschypronsotion era forthe 2000 Commas
are the Complete Count Committees established by local governments. The Census Bureau
‘expects the committees to form subcommittees to reach traditionally undercounted groups;

‘sponsor promotional events; and obtain local media coverage, During the rebearsals, GAO
consistently heard from local officials associated with the Committees that they lacked the human
‘and financial resources to promote the census.

A. Weheard to day that a Complete Count Committee was created for Miami, Has a
‘Complete Count Committee been created for Dade County.?

B. —_ What expectations has the Census Bureau set for the Committee? Specifically, what
expections were set regarding staffing, funding, and outreach activities?

c. Jn your opinion, are the Census Bureau's expectations reasonablelachievable? Wnt, how
$rould you change then

D. What ee can the Centus Buren dot ata the outreach effort ia Mian, Dade
County, and Florida?

A. The Census Count Committees are very important and really shape the non-mandsted
activities and programs around the census, The groups that are traditionally undercounted are
virtually never placed on this committee, and thus, never participated in making decisions on
how to effectuate an accurate count for their particular groups. The only information that I have
‘about the Complete Count Committee is that it is usually staffed by local officials, Unfortunately,
no one has yet approached us to take part in that committee , though we are presently seeking
additional information as to how to partake in that process. We certainly welcome any advice or
‘help you can give in that area. At this time, we defer to comment on the Census Bureau's:
‘expectations or plan for the committee because we lack appropriate information on the matter.
‘However, it is our opinion that the Census Bureau can do more to facilitate the outreach effort in
Florida by reaching out to local community groups as early as possible in 1999 and to put out
sufficient resources to promote local media advertising and special education programs. It is
important that the Census eliminate the legal barriers that prevent many low income, older people
and immigrants from applying for census jobs.


Se (ne esconen rerrs conness

134

SSS — Congress of the United sorates

= Hoouse of Representatives
Sets (COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REFORM AND OVERSIGHT pe
= 2187 Raveums Hovee Orne Bunce ————
saeco Wasearon, OC 20516-8143 =
December 22, 1998

Mr. John Stokesberry

Director

Area Alliance for Aging.

9500 South Dadeland Bivd.

Suite 400

Miami, FL 33156

Dear Mr. Stokesbury:

‘Thank you for testifying at our recent field hearing in which we examined the Census Bureau's
plans for the 2000 Census. The testimony you provided was informative and hetpful to the
‘Subcommittee's oversight of the census.

‘As you may recall, during the question and answer period of your panel, you were informed that
‘we may have additional questions to submit for your written response. Accordingly, I request
that you provide weitten responses to the following questions:

1. Many people in the hardest to enumerate populations have a general distrust of the
Federal Government. Can you suggest ways the Census Bureau can alleviate their fears
and concerns?

2. The Census Bureau enumerators hand out privacy notices when they visit houscholds. Is
that enough?

3. An important part of the Census Bureau's outreach/promotion efforts for the 2000 Census

the Committees that they lacked the human and financial resources to promote the census.

A. We heard today that a Complete Count Committee was created for Miami. Has a
‘Complete Count Committee been created for Dade County?


14

legislation as soon as possible.

Finally, it should be obvious by now that, because a significant number
of South Floridians will not atlow themselves to be counted, improvements in
currént counting methodologies and even more refined techniques to recruiting,
hiring, and training enumerators will still leave unacceptable numbers of South
Floridians uncounted. Therefore, the Alliance for Aging, on behalf of the aging
network, strongly endorses the statistical sampling methodology and urges
Congress to drop their objection to this very sophisticated approach to insuring
a fair and accurate count of al] residents of our great nation in the Year 2000
Census.

Thank you for your kind attention, and I will be glad to answer questions.


32

Additionally, I have insisted that the Census
Bureau’s $100 million advertising contract message
be focused on African Americans and other people of
color for whom the undercount is particularly
important. Remember that in the last census, we
missed more blacks than in any of the previous five
census counts. This is why getting the message out
to residents on local radio and television stations, and
in the print media will encourage higher participation
rates in the census effort.

You may have heard about a dispute back in
Washington about the use of sampling in the 2000
Census. Sampling is simply a technique that takes a
small part of the population and uses that number to
estimate the number and characteristics of the whole
population. Many statisticians and other scientists
want to use sampling to improve the accuracy of the
census, because the approach will make the numbers
more accurate than they have been in the past. There
is broad professional support for the argument that
sampling will work well, because it is used widely in
businesses and in industry. I also favour sampling,
but the whole question of whether to use it has turned
into a politically contentious issue.


103

basis to make a pretty good projection, but you must use the indig-
enous folk who live in that neighborhood. Not even that commu-
nity, but right in that block, on that block.

Mr. Moreno. I think Congresswoman Meek’s proposed legisla-
tion, hiring local people, is a necessary first step. But combined
with sort of the grassroots effort. I think you have to have promi-
nent Haitians going on Creole radio saying first, this is confiden-
tial, this is not going to be shared. You are going to have to have
prominent people in the Nicaraguan community and the Cuban
community, whatever community, going on saying look, this is fine,
this is important, you need to do this.

I think you have to combine both a media campaign and a grass-
roots campaign, and you have to do both.

Mr. MILLER. Ms. Jones.

Ms. JONES. I would like to add to that, at the grassroots level,
I do not think that you have to also start with the prominency.
With the grassroots, you have to deal with people who are, like I
said, indigenous to the neighborhood. If you are walking into the
James E. Scott housing project, you cannot send me in there and
expect me to pull out everybody there. I am not from the neighbor-
hood and no matter how much I may be an African-American who
looks like them, I am not one of the ple in the neighborhood.
So what we have to do is to open up the doors, open up processes
where we can link those people in the community with the census
office over in Hialeah, so that they know who those people are and
when they start hiring the temporary enumerators, that those are
the people who will be hired. Because that is the only way you are
going to get some of those people, when they knock on the door,
to respond.

Mr. MILLER. One area I visited yesterday with Congresswoman
Meek was Cornelia House, I think it is?

Mrs. MEEK. Cornelius House.

Mr. MILLER. Cornelius House, I am sorry, which was interesting,
but I was also interested in the unique homeless programs they
have in Dade County. I am not sure what the tax source is, but
it is a sales tax.

Ms. SUMMERS. It is a 1-percent food and beverage tax on large
restaurants.

b Mr. MILLER. And that you do, in effect, a count on a regular
asis.

Ms. SUMMERS. Absolutely.

Mr. MILLER. I do not think that is true elsewhere in the country,
is that right?

Ms. SUMMERS. Other communities are engaging in activities that
approximate that and the reason that I commend to you the work
that has been done in counting homeless people is because to some
extent that is dictated and motivated and has been since 1986
under the Stewart B. McKinney Act, because in order to compete
effectively for Federal funding, U.S. HUD requires some effort to
identify the size of the population. So there is probably not a more
relevant effort that has been going on over a longer period of time
to deal with the issue of counting a population that, as Mr.
Stokesberry and others have pointed out, is not necessarily moti-


39

Testimony of Mark R. Schlakman
Special Counsel to Florida Governor Lawton Chiles
The Committee on Government Reform and Oversight’s
Subcommittee on the Census
Thursday, December 10, 1998, 2:00 PM
Miami-Dade County Community Chambers
Stephen P. Clark Center, 111 N.W. 1st Street, Miami, Florida 33128

Good afternoon. My name is Mark Schlakman and I serve as special counsel to Florida
Governor Lawton Chiles. On behalf of Governor Chiles and Lieutenant Governor
MacKay, I would like to extend a warm Florida welcome to you Mr. Chairman and to
your entire committee. We appreciate this opportunity to raise issues of great
importance to the State of Florida concerning the year 2000 census -- an undertaking that
will dramatically effect Florida’s ability to access critically needed federal funds well into
the next millennium.

The stakes are high for Florida. We must try to ensure that census figures are accurate
and truly reflect the population of our state -- something that has not been the case in
prior years.

The 1990 census failed to recognize more than a quarter of a million people in Florida,
representing nearly 2% of Florida’s overall population at that time. As a result, more than
a quarter of a million people were ignored when federal funds were appropriated to build
and maintain Florida’s roads. More than a quarter of a million people were disregarded
when federal funding was allocated for senior citizen programs. More than a quarter of a
million people were overlooked when federal funding formulas determined the level of
funding that would be available for Head Start and school lunch programs.

‘Those invisible Floridians needed roads, they needed senior centers, and they needed
Head Start programs and schoo! lunches. Due to the undercount, the State of Florida and
its local communities failed to receive a fair share of federal tax dollars. Due to the
undercount, Florida taxpayers were shortchanged by the federal government, year after
year after year.

The next census must do a better job of accounting for all Floridians, but we are
concerned that our state may be subject to the same kind of undercounting that Florida
has previously endeavored to correct.

It is clear that reporting of Florida’s very diverse population was uneven in 1990, More
than 5% of Florida’s Hispanic population, roughly 4% of Florida’s African-American
population and nearly 3% of Florida's Native American population were excluded.



64

cussed—and again by a show of hands—do you believe that the
undercount can be eliminated without the use of sampling? Do you
think we can eliminate this undercount without using modern sci-
entific methods?

Mr. STIERHEIM. I do not know.

Mrs. MALONEY. OK, then raise your hand. In other words, you
su] pport modern scientific methods.

f show of hands.]

Mrs. MALONEY. OK, let me ask—first of all, I would like to ask,
I guess it is Mr. Schlakman—well, I would like to ask all of you
very briefly, has your jurisdiction, city or State, appropriated any
money or does it have any plans to appropriate money to supple:
ment the Census Bureau’s effort during the 2000 census, with local
advertising personnel? Do you plan to put more money into the
census in addition to what the Census Bureau and the Federal
Government—again by a show of hands?

Mr. STIERHEIM. I would say that we would consider that, yes, on
behalf of the county.

Mrs. MALONEY. Ox, how much are you going to put in there?

Mr. STIERHEIM. Well, that is a little premature. I mean we do not
consider the budget until the summer and it depends on what you
all do and what kind of cooperation we are going to get from the
Bureau.

Mrs. MALONEY. OK. Senator Margolis, you mentioned using ad-
ministrative records as a possible way to check addresses. As you
know, the census must know where a person lives on April 1, 2000.
We have heard concerns that in many localities, records are often
not updated regularly. Can you tell us, if you know, how up to date
the records you mentioned, such as the drivers’ licenses, school en-
rollment are for Miami-Dade County and Florida? Would these
records tell us where a person lives on April 1, 2000?

Ms. MARGOLIS. Yes, certainly the Dade County School Board
could tell you those that are homeless that have been registered for
school. We certainly could use the Florida Power & Light, the
power companies, the telephone companies to also participate. I
mean, I think that there are places that we can access ——.

oo htts: MALONEY. But will it tell where a person lives on April 1,

Ms. MARGOLIS. Well, if they have the lights on, I guess we know
in many cases where they live. In cases that we have apartment
buildings, it would seem to me that there is a record in each build-
ing of at least one person who lives there.

Mrs. MALONEY. I would like to ask you, Mr. Schlakman, we have
a new Governor-elect Bush, will you be working with him too?
(Laughter.]}

I am just curious. I was hoping new Governor Bush would come.
Are you going to be with the new administration or is that an em-
barrassing question?

Mr. SCHLAKMAN. Oh, it is not embarrassing, as Buddy MacKay
said, it is time for Florida to come together. We are certainly going
to support the Bush administration through transition.

Mrs. MALONEY. Well, I appreciate your nonpartisanship. Ques-
tion: Do you know, does Governor-elect Bush support the use of
statistical methods to help correct the persistent differentially high


148

record of the December 10, 1998, hearing. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle
‘Ash at (202) 225-5420. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and assistance.

Sincerely,
[ak abe,
Carolyn B. Maloney
‘Subcommittee on the Census
cc: ‘The Honorable Dan Miller
‘Chairman, Subcommitee on the Census


35

Mr. MILLER. We will now begin with the first panel. That is Mr.
Schlakman—

Mrs. MALONEY. Can we ask Carrie some questions? Would that
be appropriate?

Mr. MILLER. Well—

Mrs. MEEK. You can.

Mr. MILLER. Well, I know we can. The only problem is, I do not
want to get too far behind our schedule.

Mrs. MALONEY. Do you mind if I grill you a little bit, Carrie?

Mrs. MEEK. I do not mind at all.

Mr. MILLER. I just do not want to take up all of our panelists’
time.

Mrs. MEEK. You want me to come at the end? She can question
me at the end.

Mr. MILLER. We have nine panelists ——

Mrs. MEEK. See, I am trying to take over this hearing already.
[Laughter.]

Mrs. NEY. Mr. Chairman, I would just like to reserve the
opportunity to grill my colleague at the end.

ir. MILLER. Fine, very fine.

Let us begin with the first panel, and then we will have time cer-
tainly to do that, I believe.

The first panel will include Mr. Mark Schlakman, Senator
Margolis, Ms. Mallette and Mr. Stierheim. If they would all please
come to the front panel. As part of our procedure, if you will all
remain standing and I will swear you in as witnesses.

[Witnesses sworn.]

Mr. MILLER. Have a seat and we will begin. Let the record note
they all said in the affirmative.

fe will ask you to hold your opening statements to 5 minutes,
if possible and we will begin with—I hope I am pronouncing the
names correctly—Mr. Schlakman, the special counsel to Governor
Chiles. We will begin with you, sir.

STATEMENTS OF MARK SCHLAKMAN, SPECIAL COUNSEL TO
GOVERNOR CHILES, STATE OF FLORIDA; SENATOR GWEN
MARGOLIS, CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD, BOARD OF DADE
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS; KELLY C. MALLETTE, POLICY AD-
VISOR, OFFICE OF MAYOR JOE CAROLLO, CITY OF MIAMI,
FL; AND MERRETT R. STIERHEIM, COUNTY MANAGER,
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FL

Mr. SCHLAKMAN. Yes, sir, thank you. Good afternoon. My name

is Mark Schlakman and I serve as special counsel to Florida Gov-
ernor Lawton Chiles. On behalf of Governor Chiles and Lieutenant
Governor MacKay 1 would like to join you, Mr. Chairman, and you,
Congresswoman Meek and fellow Floridians, in terms of extendi:
a warm Florida welcome to your subcommittee. We certainly appre-
ciate the opportunity to raise issues of great importance to the
State concerning the year 2000 census, an undertaking that will
dramatically affect Florida’s ability to access critically needed funds
well into the next millennium.

The stakes are high for Florida. We have established that al-
ready today. We must try to ensure that census figures are accu-


67

2000 census, and it is only going to be by working together. They
may not know the answers in Washington, DC about that type of
problem, but it is a specific problem here. The problems on the In-
dian Reservations out in Arizona are different from the problems
in inner city New York City. And so the key is getting the coopera-
tion of local communities and local governmental agencies, rec-
ognizing it is to everybody’s interest to get the best number pos-
sible. And so I appreciate, Mr. Stierheim, especially your commit-
ment in saying that. You recognize that we are going to put the
resources. And we need to hear from you what you want that we
can do additionally out of the Congress and such. Whether it is
Congresswoman Meek’s idea, which I think is a good one, about
making it easier for people to work for the Census Bureau and not
lose benefits. And so we do make special exceptions for veterans
and such so they will not lose their benefits. Let us just get people
within the Haitian community, within the Salvadoran community
or such, whatever we need to make it possible. We ask for your
continued input to this idea.

We thank all four of you for being here today and we will con-
clude the first panel. Thank you very much.

If the next five would please—we will take about a 2-minute
break here as they change panels, but if the panel would like to
come forward.

[Recess.]

Mr. MILLER. Will the five panelists come forward, please.

[Witnesses sworn.]

Mr. MILLER. Thank you. Let the record state that all five wit-
nesses have responded affirmatively.

We will begin with the second panel. I appreciate all five of you
all being here. Once again, I would like to thank Congresswoman
Meek and her staff for making it possible to help identify all of you
all to be participating in this to help identify the problem areas we
are having with the 2000 census of the undercount. We are espe-
cially interested in how do we help address that problem, what we
can do legislatively, and what we can do through the Census Bu-
reau to make it possible to get the best count possible. Whether we
use sampling or we do not, we still need to get the best count pos-
sible. That is our goal.

So with that, let us start at this end of the table. Mr.
Stokesberry, if you will begin. Try to hold your statements to 5
minutes so we have time for some questions. We do want to con-
clude by 5 o'clock.

Mr. Stokesberry.


104

vated to step to the front of the line and raise their hand to be
counted.

We think in Dade County that we have taken it to the next level.
And what we have learned over the last 5 years is that while our
preliminary estimates in the early 1990’s were very large, we in
fact significantly under-estimated the total number of homeless
people and because we have worked out geographic flans that are
consistent from count to count and the counting is done by people
who are involved in the homeless initiative, including homeless
people, who know where their formerly homeless colleagues reside
and what the motivations to deceive and go to underground are. It
is only through that way that we have come to know that you do
need actual street counts, but that is only the foundation of a real
estimate of the total number of homeless people. Because once we
get those real counts conducted in much the same fashion that the
census 2000 plan anticipates it being done. We know, based on 5
years of hard experience we have to add a multiplier based on sta-
tistical sampling.

So I guess the bottom line on my message or my offering for your
consideration is that perhaps there needs to be a blend of actual
count with scientific sampling applied to it.

Mr. MILLER. As I said, I am not going to debate sampling here.
Carolyn Maloney and I have debated it for hours and hours and
hours and, as I say, I am more than happy to do that, but we have
a constitutional issue and there are real problems with the com-
plexity of the plan. It is a high risk plan, the General Accounting
Office has talked about it.

But how many homeless are there in Dade County?

Ms. SUMMERS. We estimate, based on our most recent count
which was about 6 weeks ago, that the total number of homeless
persons in Dade County now is somewhere between 7,000 and
10,000, and understand, that is a recent count after this commu-
nity, between its food and beverage tax, private donations and sig-
nificant Federal dollars has invested almost $130 million in the
last years. But we know that there are certain forces at work—wel-
fare reform, immigration and other things, and just pure poverty,
increasing poverty.

Mr. MILLER. How comfortable are you with that number? Do you
think 7,000 to 10,000 is a fairly realistic number?

Ms. SUMMERS. We believe it is one of the best numbers that we
have had in awhile.

Mr. MILLER. How much is that from actual count, what is the
multiplier you use?

Ms. SUMMERS. We use a multiplier of two and the actual count,
and we do it on a geographic basis——

Mr. MILLER. So 3,500 to 5,000-—

Ms. SUMMERS. Correct.

Mr. MILLER. OK. I will tell you what, my time is up—so we can
stay on schedule, if we have time, we will do a second round, so
we can conclude by 5.

Congresswoman Maloney.

Mrs. MALONEY. As you know, we are going to be using for the
first time paid television and radio outreach to communities and it
is going to be targeted to reach those hardest-to-enumerate popu-


126

Ms. Marleine Bastien
December 1998
Page 3

record of the December 10, 1998, hearing. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle
‘Ash at (202) 225-5420, Thank you in advance for your cooperation and assistance.
Sincerely,

Lak #4 Ly

‘Carolyn B. Maloney
Ranking Minority Member
Subcommittee on the Census

cc: The Honorable Dan Miller
‘Chairman, Subcommittee on the Census


45

that we have a complete and accurate census count in the year
2000, and has expressed his strong support of a scientific sampling
and other statistical methods. We believe the only way to account
for parts of each population groups will be through the use of sci-
entific sampling techniques. As you know, three National Academy
of Science panels have recommended this method of counting. He
talks about Congressperson Meek’s bills that we support strongly
and certainly with two wonderful Hispanic Congresspersons, one of
whom served in the Senate with us, and Carrie Meek, who has just
been in the forefront as far as I am concerned in progressive legis-
lation over the many years that I have known her.

i We hope that we are in good hands, as we respond to any ques-
‘ions.

Mr. MILLER. Ms. Mallette. By the way, Senator Margolis, thank
you very much for making the chambers available for us today. We
appreciate this opportunity and we are very impressed. I wish we
had this nice a chambers in Washington. Thank you very much.

Ms. Mallette.

[The prepared statement of Ms. Margolis follows:]


87

Ms. BASTIEN. Honorable Dan Miller, Honorable Carolyn Maloney,
Congresswoman Meek, good afternoon.

First, I would like to thank you for bringing this field heari:
here in Miami. My name is Marleine Bastien, I am here on behalf
of the Haitian American community in south Florida. I am the
president of the Haitian Women of Miami, a community-based or-
ganization. I am also the chairperson of the Commission on the

‘ensus 2000 in the Haitian American Grassroots Coalition.

The Haitian American Grassroots Coalition is a community-
based organization made up of 13 local organizations in south Flor-
ida, with affiliates in other areas such as New York, Boston, Chi-
cago, New Jersey and Connecticut.

As many other minorities, the Haitian-Americans are very con-
cerned about the lasting consequences of the census 2000 on our
community. This concern has to do with past experiences with the
1980 and the 1990 census. According to some scholars like Dr. Alex
Stepick of the Florida International University, Haitian-Americans
in the south Florida area were undercounted by 25 to 50 percent.
An estimate close to 1.5 million Haitian-Americans are now living
in the United States of America and many of them are here in
Miami and some of them in the New York areas.

Nevertheless, with your leadership and strong community par-
ticipation, we are confident that this panel will make the proper
decision by setting policies to significantly improve the accuracy of
the upcoming census. Now is the time to correct the inequities of
the past. As America is gearing up and Preparing itself for the new
millennium, improving the social conditions of the poor, empower-
ing new minorities with direct representation at the congressional,
State and county levels can greatly contribute to make America a
much greater Nation.

The power to make the poor become stakeholders in the public
policymaking process is in your hands. The power for our senior
citizens to have better access to health care and for our children
to improve their educational opportunities with adequate resources
is in your hands. We are here today to urge your support for the
sampling method for the upcoming census and to champion this
cause as a bipartisan issue. Every 10 years, the Constitution calls
on you, the leaders, and us, the people, to reassess America’s social,
economic and political conditions. A common ground must be
sought and can be found to make this process fair for all.

Now I am going to discuss a little bit about the 1990 census and
what happened in the Haitian community. The census, as you
know, has always undercounted the population. However, some
groups are missed more often than others, perpetuating a condition
that the Census Bureau refers to as differential undercount.

The Haitians were grossly undercounted in the 1990 census, like
I said earlier. And the results clearly indicate that in order for the
census 2000 to be accurate for all the groups as possible, many
things should be done.

y was the census 1990 such a problem for the Haitian com-
munity? First, the Haitians fear and distrust outsiders and govern-
ment officials. Haitians have a well-founded fear of most govern-
ment officials and outsiders. Many were victimized during the bru-
tal dictatorship of the Duvalier government. They fled persecution


‘Honorable Den Miller ‘Bonorable Carlyn Maloney
Cteirmen ‘Ranking Member

‘Subcomasittes on the Consus Sobcorumittes on the Census -
H-114 O'Neill House Office Building. ‘H-114 O'Neill House Office Building
‘Washington, D.C. 20515 ‘Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Mr. Chairmen and Ranking Member Maloney:

‘We, the undersigned elected snd appointed officals and advocates, represent constituencies that have
1 significant stake jn the outcome of the 2000 census. Our sflations cover a broad spectram of
civic, cultural, snd economic interests, incuding children sad fuanifics, communities of color,
Ieprlacome peopl, cas, eer Ameo, teria, gious lady, bene en bor

‘First, wo weat to thenk you for holding a field heating in Mismi and for giving local officiats end civic
‘Ieaders 20 cpportonity to share their ideas on achieving an accurate census count in cur comesucity.

‘As you know, the Mian metropolitan ares hes « tremendous stake in ensuring the 2000 consus is as
complete and thir 03 possible. According to Census Buresu eveluatioas, the 1990 census exctoded
nearly 5.0 percent of Miami residents. In Dede County aloes, the net undercount rate wes 3.7
percent, substentinlly higher than both the net astional undercount of 2.6 percent and the net
‘undercount Sor the State of Florida of 1.9 percent. These resuits wore unacceptable, and
‘consequeatty, the residents of cur county and city have been desied the fiscal resources ead political
‘epresnntation to which they were eatiied over the past decade. We pledge to work with the Census
Bureau, local officials and Congress to engure thet the 2000 census is more accurate and fair.

Our stata, county ane city are house to many people whose racial end ethic background, age, or
economic status make it more ily that they wil be left out of the census. Miami's population is

‘Consolidated Matropolitan
Hiapastt (33 percent) populations. The Mani Primary Metropolicen Statistical Area slose grow
early 20 percent in the 1580s. More roceat population eeimates show that Florida registered the
Jarpatt increase among stetes in Affican American population and the third largest increase in
‘Hiepenic populatin from 1950 - 1997, For the samo timo period, Dede County bed the fifth largest
‘588 tenceg all counties in Hipanic population, That i why the wnsccaptabiy high undercount rites
fine Afican Amecicans (4.5 percent) nd lspenics (5.0 percent) ia 1990 are of such great concern
tou

Florids continues to experience increases in the number of older Americans 28 well us in its school
‘age population. Inenigrants continse to settio in the Mieeni area; the CMSA hed the fifth highest


OVERSIGHT OF THE 2000 CENSUS: COMMU-
NITY BASED APPROACHES FOR A BETTER
ENUMERATION

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1998

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE CENSUS,
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REFORM AND OVERSIGHT,
Miami, FL.

The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 2:09 p.m., in the
Dade County Community Chambers, 111 N.W. 1st Street, Miami,
FL, Hon. Dan Miller (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding.

Present: Representatives Miller, Maloney and Meek.

Staff present: Kelly Duquin and Lara Chamberlin, professional
staff members; and Michelle Ash, minority counsel.

Mr. MILLER. There is a quorum present on the Subcommittee of
the Census of the Government Reform and Oversight Committee of
the U.S. House of Representatives and we are going to begin this
field hearing concerning the census for the year 2000.

First of all, I would like to welcome my colleague on the commit-
tee, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney of New York City to the
hearing today. I would also like to extend a special thanks to Con-
gresswoman Carrie Meek, the Congressperson from the Miami-
Dade County area. Mrs. Meek requested that we come to Miami
and I am glad we were able to make this hearing happen.

We are going to have two panels of witnesses and after each
panel, the three committee members here will be able to question
the witnesses. Obviously our goal is to hear about the possible
problems with the year 2000 census. I would like to welcome every-
body to this meeting here, especially our witnesses. Mrs. Meek re-
quested that we come to Miami and I am glad we were able to have
our first hearing here in Miami. Miami has one of the most diverse

ypulations in the Nation and I think that it is very appropriate
for us to begin our field hearing process here.

I would also like to thank the staff in this meeting who provided
invaluable assistance in making this hearing possible. They really
have put in a great deal of effort and we certainly thank them for
their support.

Yesterday, I had a wonderful opportunity to take a tour of Mrs.
Meek’s district. Carrie and I had talked about this for some time
and I am glad we were able to make it happen. I was able to visit
an early Head Start program, a senior’s home, a public housing
project, a program to help at-risk teens and a homeless shelter.

69)


150

UNIDAD HONDURENA
Honduran Unity
Con fe en Dios triunfaremos.
December 10, 1998

The Honorable Congressman

Mr. Dan Miller

Chairman of the Congressional Subcommittee
(On the Census

Washington, D.C.

Dear Congressman Miller,

We appreciate notice sent by Representative Carrie Meek regarding the census
field hesring.

On the behalf of the Hispanic community, in particular the Hondurans, we
welcome you to South Florida.

We realize that this is a very important step, which will help you obtain valuable
input for this very complicated process. There have been meny faults with prior
census, itis a very time-consuming process and we have been made aware of some
mistakes.

We appeal to you to make this process reliable, whether sampling or conventional,
and that it truly be representative of the community. That is the fundamental
purpose of the census, in preparation for the challenges of the future. We need a
census system that can be trusted and one which all can agree with its outeome.
Mainly, we see the need to educate and provide information regarding the census
0 that certain groups are not overlooked.

We thank you for your great efforts on behalf of a fair system, and wish to success
in your assignment. If you think we can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to
call on us.

Very truly yours,

Tose Lagos

President

{6850 Coral Way # 506 - Miami, Florida 3315S + Tel: (305) 667-0884 / (305) 228-1208 - Fax: (305) 657-3819

[@)


42

#lorida Gongressional Delegation
2107 Rayburn House Office Building
ton, B.@. 20313

August 6, 1992

De. Barbara Everett Eryent
cnpmgeora ttm Director

cgucwinu tues Eureaa of The Census

See 4600 Silver Hill Road
#2089 Building #3
Suitlend, HD “20233

Dee: De. Beye

we have read with oreat interest reports that your office
is still considering using statisticel census information to
inprove the eccuracy of the 1550 census heed-count figures,
especially in growth states like Florida, As members of the
Florida Delegation, we are writing to express our strong
support of a statistical adjustment to 1920 population

segertm tue estimates,

Our state, the fourth-fastest growing in the nation, has

nTM consistently renked last or near last in terms of fair return
on our federal tax dollars, behind even Guem, the Virgin
Islands, American Samoa, Puerto Rico and the District of
Columbia. After years of receiving less than our fair share,

many of us had anticipated the 1930 census as a turning point
when federal funding formulas would be updated to eccuxately
reflect our current population and demographic trends.

Unfortunately, it is clear that the 1990 census prolonged
rather than corrected our problem as it contained significant
undercounts for Florida end other large states. In recent
years our state delegation has worked with only limited
Success to increase Florida's share to something closer to
“far* through piecemeal attempts at amending education,
immigration and transportation funding legislation. We have
vehemently and cooperatively protested a retroacative formula
for the Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health Administration,
to no avail. The fact that we continue to have an unfair
shortfall of federal resources indicates that a broader
solution is needed. We must have a more accurate reflection
of the population trends in Florids and othex high-growth
states on which to base federal funding formulas.



73

with restrictions on the number of persons allowed to reside in the
apartment. This individual may also have family members or relations
who may be undocumented and, therefore, fears any government
questionnaire. In this case, the entire household may refuse to respond.

. Elders who live in small efficiencies attached to a house. These rental
units are usually constructed without a license or permit and may not have
a mailing address. What occurs is individuals residing in these places do
not get a Census questionnaire. If an enumerator goes to the main house,
they are never told about the rental unit attached for fear of penalty.

«Elders living in unlicensed adult living facilities (ALFs)may be
undercounted because owners of such facilities may not want to disclose
they are currently operating an unlicensed facility.

. Elders living in trailers and/or trailer parks may never get a census form
and, when an enumerator is sent, may not be able to gain access to these
individuals. This happens because of fear and the sense of close-knit
community.

Now in closing, let me offer some suggestions. The Census Bureau is
sensitive to the need for recruiting enumerators to work in the communities
where they live. The wisdom of this approach is widely recognized and the
bureau is to be congratulated for their outreach efforts thus far. However,
recruiting qualified low-income and retired elders to work part time is made
difficult because of current limits on eared income for many low-income and
retired seniors. For example, retirees who receive social security benefits or
military and federal pensions might lose a portion of their monthly payments if
they temporarily work as census takers. Similarly, recipients of food stamps,
Medicaid, or housing subsidies might jeopardize their eligibility for those
benefits if they earn more than the law allows through temporary census
employment. Representative Carrie Meek (D-FL) has introduced legislation that
would waive certain income limits for recipients of Federal benefits who serve
in temporary positions during the census, and we urge Congress to approve this

3


82

States has been as radically affected by immigration as Miami. Political, social, and economic
unrest in the Caribbean and Latin America have had a direct impact on the city. Four decades ago
the foreign-born population of Dade County was less than 5 percent. Today, a majority of the
county residents are foreign-born. In the forty years since Castro's revolution more than 800,000
‘Cubans entered the United States through Miami of these, 600,000 eventually settled in the South
Florida area. Similarly, in the 1980s refugees fleeing political unrest in Nicaragua, Haiti, El
Salvador and Guatemala began to arrive in large numbers. For example, about 100,000
‘Nicaraguans and about 70,000 Haitians arrived in South Florida fleeing political and economic
turmoil at home. The legal status of many of these Central American and Haitian immigrants is
ambiguous and some of them are counted in the estimated 175,000 illegal immigrants in South
Florida,

‘The dramatic image of Haitian boat peoples combined with the spectacle of the Mariel
boat-lift created the perception that 1980 was the highpoint of Latin American immigration to
‘Miami. Afterall more than 300,000 Latin Americans arrived in South Florida in the 1980s. But
the data since the 1990 census appears to be just as dramatic, Last year 41,527 new immigrants
arrived in Miami, Since 1991, 200,000 Latin Americans more made South Florida their final
destination. Economic and political conditions in Latin America and the Caribbean Basin favors
the continuing flows of peoples to South Florida. The election of the ultra-nationalist Hugo
‘Chavez in Venezuela creates the possibility that the former coup leader will radicalize the political
and economic life of Venezuela. Political instability in Venezuela creates the possibility, however
small, of another major immigration crisis. The existence of a small Venezuelan expatriate

community in Miami could provide the social infrastructure for a much larger migration to the


OVERSIGHT OF THE 2000 CENSUS: COMMUNITY
BASED APPROACHES FOR A_ BETTER
ENUMERATION

HEARING

BEFORE THE

SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE CENSUS

OF THE

COMMITTEE ON
GOVERNMENT REFORM
AND OVERSIGHT
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

ONE HUNDRED FIFTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION

DECEMBER 10, 1998

Serial No. 105-207

Printed for the use of the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight

ae

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
56-904 CC WASHINGTON : 1999

For sale by the U.S. Government Printing Office
‘Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Sales Office, Washington, DC 20402

3 ISBN 0-16-058595-3



108

Mrs. MALONEY. Well, I want to hear the rest. Can we let every-
body comment, because this is very important. This is the crux of
how we reach people.

Ms. BASTIEN. I think the summit is a good idea, but I also think
it is extremely important to try to work with the grassroots com-
munities in the different areas. The coalition that I represent, for
example, has 13 different organizations involved—professional,
nonprofessionals—involved. And they do communicate and we do
have regular meetings. I think a good way to reach the community
and to get the message out in the appropriate language is to in-
volve the grassroot organizations in the process, so that the com-
munity can come in, meet, get together and share their information
about how best we can work on the census 2000.

Ms. SUMMERS. On the issue of the homeless, I would commend
to you to ask the Census Bureau to take a look at the organized
counting that is going on in communities all over the country, with
the motivation provided by U.S. HUD to count this population. Cer-
tainly I am not intimately familiar with any other counting meth-
odology as it is implemented in other communities except that I
know that there are those organized efforts.

Here in Dade County, I can guarantee you that no number of
hired, trained census workers are going to be able to match the job
that the teams, many of them volunteers, many of them homeless
persons, are going to be able to do. And we do our counts twice a
year, because we are looking at things like is there the migratory
issue with homelessness that everyone fears. We think it is not. So
to the extent that some group is out working on counting, I think
their expertise should be considered.

Mr. MILLER. Congresswoman Meek.

Mrs. MEEK. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have quite a few obser-
vations.

The first one I would like to mention to the committee is that
there are some people here who are sending urgent messages to
this congressional subcommittee here today that were not able to
testify today, but we have Mr. Keith Eng, Attorney Keith Eng, who
is president of the Asian-American Federation of Florida, and Mr.
Eng is in the audience today. He is representing immigrants from
Japan, mainland China—you would be surprised, there are a lot of
Asian-Americans in my district and in Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and in
Lincoln Diaz-Balart’s districts—mainland China, Taiwan, Jamaica,
South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia,
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, et
cetera. So they are here today giving a voice to this committee that
there are many ethnicities here in south Florida and throughout
this Nation and they certainly want to have their input into this.
They are very concerned about an accurate count.

iso, Mr. Dale Simpson is here, and I would like to put these
names in the record, ranking member, I want to put the names
that I have mentioned in the record, as well as Mr. Dale Simpson,
who is the chief operating officer, who was very kind to us yester-
day at Cornelius House. He says “drop in, homeless ple.” Not
the ones that are not necessarily in the housing, but the drop-ins.

But I am very encouraged today by this panel. Now I have been
around quite a long time, been to a lot of hearings. Sometimes


a a

131

omegrasoe mn
se ‘ne onan Arm cononess I=
= Congress of the United States a
= Foouse of Representatives =
one ‘COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REFORM ANO OVERSIGHT [Sas
amore 2157 Rarpure House Ornice Bupa =...
ee Wameraron, DC 20515-6149 ae
‘December 22, 1998
Dr. Dario Moreno
Associate Professor
‘Department of Political Science
Florida Intemational University
DM 483 University Park
Miami, FL 33199
‘Dear Dr. Moreno:

“Thank you for testifying at our recent fick! hearing in which we examined the Census Bureau's
plans for the 2000 Census. The testimony you provided was informative and heipful to the
‘Subcommitiee's oversight ofthe census,

‘As you may recall, during the question and answer period of your panel, you were informed that
‘we may have additional questions to submit for your written response. Accordingly, request
that you provide written responses tothe following questions:

1, The Census Bureau is making an effort to hire people who are part of the group known as
the hardest to enumerate, ypically Hispanics, Blacks, American Indians, the Homeless,
the Elderly. How can the Census Bureau reach out to those people for employment
purposes, and do the organizations which you represent provide job placement

2. Many people in the hardest to enumerate populations have a general distrust of the
Federal Government. Can you suggest ways the Census Bureau can alleviate their fears
and concerns?

3. The Census Bureau enumerators hand out privacy notices when they visit houscholds. Is
that enough?

4, Amimportant part of the Census Bureau's outreach/promation efforts for the 2000 Census
are the Complete Count Committees established by local governments, The Census




109

many of them are very boring. But I have never heard a panel any
better than this one. And I am not saying that because they were
chosen more or less with the help of my district office, but because
they are extremely intelligent and articulate about the problems
here. I want to thank them for being here and I want to thank the
committee for having you here.

And I am going to put this in the record if you will accept it, Mr.

rman.

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Chairman, will you accept this on behalf of
my colleague and friend?

Mr. MILLER. Without objection, we will include it in the record.

[The information referred to follows:]


30

because census numbers drive the distribution of
nearly $200 billion in tax revenues each year. In
other words, if the count in our district is too low,
then the distribution of federal funds to our district
will be too low. Based on the last census count, we
have reasons to be concerned about that possibility.

The failure of the 1990 census to accurately
count our residents seriously short-changed federal
funding levels we should have received during this
entire decade. This means that our community
missed out on billions of dollars in federal funding
to this district—-money that could have gone to
improve our schools, to build roads and low-
income housing, and to restore our public libraries-
-all of which would have made the quality of life
for our people better. But. we missed out on these
funds because the numbers were not accurate.
Clearly, this was not good for our families or for our
children, so I am doing everything I can to make sure
that it does not happen again.

For years and years, I have had a long and
abiding interest in making sure that we get the
numbers right in Florida and around the country. In
fact, I sponsored a bill to help ensure that


89

is also important that they are not only well-trained, but also able
to develop a rapport with the population so as to build the trust
needed to facilitate understanding and foster cooperation. In gen-
eral, immigrants will trust their own and they have a great fear
of outsiders. The census takers must characteristically represent
the people that they will serve.

Needs of non-English speakers. Census materials must be avail-
able in languages other t! English. Creole and Spanish are the
primary languages of a big portion of the Miami’s population. Con-
sequently, it is important that the census applications and guide-
lines are readily available in these languages. Many will not wel-
come visits from census takers—and that is very important. How-
ever, if transportation services are provided, they will be willing to
go to specific locations to get information and complete the needed
application. This arrangement can definitely decrease the
undercount in the hard-to-find population. Outreach workers will
also be needed to travel throughout the community and encourage
targeted groups to partake in the census process.

Use of radio and television programs as well as major Haitian
newspapers. As previously stated, the Haitians rely mainly on the
Creole radio and television for information. It is our recommenda-
tion that sufficient funds be allocated to develop extensive edu-
cational programs to start as early as next year to educate the com-
munity about the importance of the census. Educating the Haitian
community is a difficult task, which cannot be accomplished over-
night. While we are eager to assist the Bureau in promoting the
census throughout the community, we and the media must have
adequate information and sufficient time and resources to do so.

wr. MILLER. Ms. Bastien, if you could kind of speed up the con-
clusion.

Ms. BASTIEN. Yes, I am getting to it.

Mr. MILLER. I have seen your statement, which is excellent, but
in the essence of time——

Ms. BasTIEN. And in specific classification, we are also request-
ing the inclusion of a specific classification in the census to identify
Haitians. A report of the last census identifies Haitians and Pacific
Islanders which includes Chinese, Indians, Japanese, Koreans and
Filipinos. The census categories ought to be reflective of the demo-
graphic changes which have transformed the U.S. landscape in the
past 30 years.

Miami-Dade County has a tremendous stake in ensuring that
census 2000 is as complete and fair as possible. The Clinton admin-
istration supports and is advocating the use of sampling so that the
census can look like the people who live in America, as opposed to
the minority that usually gets counted. Turning the process into a
partisan issue will further alienate the poor, different minority
groups and children from the American democracy.

The GOP admits to the chronic problems of differential
undercount and promises to use new techniques in the census 2000
to solve them. We do know, however, that many of these techniques
have been used before. The same groups continue to be under-
counted while a small minority is counted twice, sometimes three
times. As we are entering the new millennium, we urge Congress
to make census 2000 a bipartisan priority. Let us coordinate our


84

whole ranks among the ten poorest large urban areas in the United States. This is significant
because the poor have been historically undercounted in the census because of their poor housing
conditions (either homeless or temporary) and lack of public awareness about its importance.

The 2000 census faces significant obstacles in South Florida in providing a completely
accurate enumeration of the population. However, despite these serious flaws with the traditional
methodology, a 10 percent statistical sampling also suffers from some significant flaws within the
South Florida context. Any partial sampling of the South Florida population must take into
account the role of language. The conventional wisdom among pollsters is that polls should be
conducted in English. Non-English speakers are simply too small a group and besides language
proficiencies are believed not to affect political behavior. However, in a series of polls conducted
in Dade County by my firm, Florida Scientific Survey, we found that among Hispanics nearly tho-
thirds of the Hispanics prefer to take our surveys in Spanish. (Among the elderly the figure rose to
85 percent) Moreover, we found significant attitudinal difference in all our polls between English-
speaking Hispanics and Spanish-speaking Hispanics. We also speculate from anecdotical evidence
that respondents are also influenced by accents. Hispanic respondents would be far more likely to
complete the survey ifthe surveyor spoke un-accented Spanish; the reverse was true of Affican-
American and Non-Latin Whites who prefer un-accented English.

To be effective a statistical sample must take into account local differences. ‘The designers
of the survey might create a statistical sample that provides a more accurate picture of the
Mexican-American population in Los Angeles but that undercounts Cubans and Nicaraguans in
Miami by ignoring local peculiarities. No statistic model is completely neutral and there is an

inherent danger of “politicizing” the 2000 census by using them.


Page Five
Latter to House Consus Subcommittee
December 8, 1958

12

‘Barbera Schwartz,
‘American Amociation of University Women
Miami

Modesto E. Abety
‘Director
(Children’s Services Council of Miami-Dade

‘Guarions Diaz Cheryl Littie
‘President ‘Executive Director
(Cuban American National Council, Inc. Florida Inumigrant Advecacy Center, Inc.
Jorge Luis Lopez Toba de Leon
‘Bxooutive Director
lerida 2000 Censes Education Fund = Greater Miami Chapter American Civil
Liberties Union
‘Leonie Hermantin (Carfine Paul
Director of Boonomic Developmeut ‘Executive Director
Hisition American Feendsticn Haitian American Youth of Tomorrow
‘Marioine Bastion Viceato P. Rodriguez
President Presidest
‘Haitian Women of Miami, Inc. ‘Hiskesh Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Desiclla Levine ‘Eileen Lopez
‘Executive Director ‘Program Director
~ Human Services Coalition ‘Latheran Services Florida
‘The Honorable Alex Peosias ‘1D Young Choi
‘Mayor (Chairpersoa
‘Miami-Dade County Miami-Dade County Asian American
‘Advisery Beard
‘Xioman Casado Ly Logan
Director (Chairperson
Miami-Dade County Division of Miami-Dade County Equal Opportunity
Community Relations Beard


54

A bleed by ac of ur oom peste, Congesvoman Cie Meck prs t

after direct contact has beca made with at least 90 percent of the housebokds in such a tract. In
‘communities such as the City of Miami, where nonresponse rates are likely to be very high,

Cramer Bucs sl caploying went mephing tet represen i oly wey tose
hard-to-reach populations. Sampling is not new to the census and has been used to yather

and detmiled data for many decades. 1 is the only way for the City of Mianai and other such communities
‘to at last get credit forall of their esidents afler years of undercountiny.

Its critical that we pursuc all means necessary to ensure that all Americans - regardless of language,
ational origin, immigration status living arrangements, or economic well-being - are sccounted for in
the 2000 census. Sampling provides an appropriate solution to the problem of undercounting, and is the
only solution that will provide the City of Miami and ther arexs with a proper and fair count of all its
residents. heartily endorse this approach.


96

indicated that 25% to 50% of Haitians living in that area were undercounted for the following,
reasons:

1. Fear and Distrust of “Outsiders” and Government Officials

Haitians have a well founded fear of most government officials and outsiders, Many were
victimized during the brutal dictatorship of the Duvalier government. They fled persecution to
seck refuge in the U.S. Instead of the safe haven they were yearning for, they found themselves in
long term detention where they were subjected to emotional and oftentimes, physical abuse.
Typically, Haitians have been forced to become part of an underclass because they have not been
welcomed here. They have been easy targets for discrimination, and consequently, less likely to
provide information during the census process.

2. Immigration Status

Most Haitians who immigrated to the U.S. were asylum seekers. For the most part, their
claims were arbitrarily denied on the premise that they were “economic refugees” and did not
have a well-founded fear of persecution if they were returned to Haiti, They were subjected to
‘unfair treatment and their most basic rights were oftentimes violated. They lived in constant fear
of deportation and as a result, they were not willing to provide confidential information about
themselves to complete the census applications. Many did not mail back the applications or were
purposefully absent during the census takers’ visits. More recently, the unequal treatment of
Haitian refugees was evidenced when Congress excluded them from legislation which granted
legal residency status to 153,000 Nicaraguans and Cubans; eligibility to apply for suspension of
deportes to thousands of Guatealany Satvdorans and Easier Europeans. The Halen

reacted swiftly to this unfair exclusion and led a successful campaign which

Guimnaed inthe encore of legislation granting legal residency to about 50,000 Haitian
immigrants. However, the Haitians still didn’t receive equal treatment with the Cubans and
‘Nicaraguan. In fact, this figure only represents a third of all eligible applicants,
3. Housing Arrangements

Due to economic hardships, Haitian families are frequently forced to share space with other
households and often sublet additions on homes which would not be counted as separate living
quarters. The principal renter of the property is often reluctant to share information about
persons they are sub-leasing to for fear of legal repraisals and families subletting are reluctant to
report their presence, fearing rental increases, The overcrowded conditions within the Haitian
community has seriously impacted housing conditions. In many families, children and adults alike
share the same steeping quarters and live in sub-standard conditions.

4 Lack of Communication and Information about the Census

‘Asa result of poor resource allocations and lack of community outreach, the Haitian community
did not get sufficient information about the importance of the census and its impact on child care,
seniors, students most in need, social security , medicare, people with disabilities and job training.
This community relies mainly on Creole radio and television shows as its main source of

i a


1

Ms. JONES. Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman, Mrs. Maloney and
Mrs. Meek. Let me join everyone else in expressing my delight for
you bringing this, your first, field hearing to Miami-Dade County.
Once again, Congresswoman Meek has demonstrated her insight,
forethought and leadership on behalf of the citizens of Florida.

I appreciate this opportunity to briefly speak about the 2000 cen-
sus. My name is Opal Jones. As an African-American citizen, a mi-
nority person in particular, and a governmental employee, I grap-
ple with the disproportionate impact of census undercounts. How-
ever, my appearance here today is as a private citizen. My specific
comments will be limited to the review of the breadth of the
undercount, the need for more aggressive outreach efforts, the rec-
ommended use of statistical sampling and the need for adequate

‘unding.

It is critical that you zealously evaluate, in an apolitical manner,
what impedes an accurate census count. Based upon that evalua-
tion, the Census Bureau should adopt a non-traditional approach
to this constitutionally prescribed process. The goal should be to
move away from what is currently allowed or what has historically
been done, specifically if it did not work. Efforts should be toward
techniques that meet the Constitution’s mandate and ways to pro-
vide for as accurate a census count as possible.

One enumeration technique previously used was the cross-ref-
erencing of records in certain data bases, Internal Revenue Service,
drivers’ license or things of that sort. Surely some of these sources
are better than others, yet none of these sources is independently
accurate. For example, in 1990 administrative records for parolees
and probationers were used to add 447,000 people to the census
records, only to discover later that 60 percent of those additions
were wrong. So the caveat is that cross-referencing as a technique
may be helpful in the checks and balances process, but it is not the
most reliable option for initial counts.

According to the Census Bureau’s own review, the 1990
undercount was estimated at about 4 million people, or between 1.8
to 2.1 percent overall. However, for minorities, the estimated
undercount was much higher; blacks, 5.1 percent; Asians, 3.2 per-
cent; Hispanics, 5.5 percent and Native Americans 5.3 percent. In-
deed Florida has the fourth highest undercount in the Nation. The
1990 census missed 258,000 people, 133,998 of which were chil-

n.

Although the only constitutional mandate for the census is to ap-
portion U.S. House of Representatives, there are other growing
political economic consequences which result from the census
count. Thus, the differential undercount has and can have far-
reaching and long-term disparate impact on minorities. In other
words, the ability to miscount millions of certain people has had a
devastatingly adverse effect not only on the electoral empowerment.
of minority voters, but a growing impact on other social and eco-
nomic factors as well.

To date, census 2000 and preparations for it have operated in a
stealth mode. The average citizen in my neighborhood is not aware
of the committee’s work, the Census Bureau’s efforts, nor
what lies ahead in the year 2000. A more high profile public proc-
ess is essential. There already should be an aggressively focused


36

rate and truly reflect the population of our State, something that
has not been the case in prior years.

The 1990 census failed to recognize, as we again have heard
today, more than a quarter of a million people in the State of Flor-
ida, representing nearly 2 percent of Florida’s overall population at
that time. As a result, more than a quarter of a million people were
ignored when Federal funds were appropriated to build and main-
tain Florida’s roads. More than a quarter of a million people were
disregarded when Federal funding was allocated for senior citizen
programs. And more than a quarter of a million people were over-
looked when Federal funding formulas determined the level of
funding that would be available for Head Start and school lunch
programs.

Those invisible Floridians needed roads, they needed senior citi-
zen centers, they needed Head Start programs and school lunches.
Due to the undercount, the State of Florida and its local commu-
nities failed to receive a fair share of Federal tax dollars. Due to
the undercount, Florida taxpayers were shortchanged by the Fed-
eral Government, year after year after year.

The next census must do a better job of accounting for all Florid-
ians. And Mr. Chairman, you established that as your goal, both
for Florida and the entire country and we salute you for that. But
we are concerned that our State may be subject to the same kind
of undercounting that Florida has previously endeavored to correct.

It is clear that reporting of Florida’s very diverse population was
uneven at best in 1990. More than 5 percent of Florida's Hispanic
population, roughly 4 percent of Florida’s African American popu-
lation and nearly 3 percent of Florida’s Native American population
were excluded. Almost 5 percent of Florida’s children simply did
not exist as far as the Federal census was concerned.

Part of the answer—but only a part of the answer—must be to
require the Bureau of the Census to reach out to Florida’s diverse
communities when developing plans and hiring staff for the count.
Community leadership teams and Bureau staff should reflect the
communities that are to be counted and they must be keenly aware
of the communities that are historically less likely to respond to
forms distributed by mail.

Public awareness campaigns must involve minority and multi-
lingual media outlets, community newspapers, the internet, bill-
boards, churches and other resources to enhance the traditional
and more conventional efforts to notify the public.

Publicity and outreach, even good. publicity and outreach, are
necessary but not sufficient. The results from the 1990 census were
flawed, despite various efforts to contact these communities. More
than 8 million people were missed nationwide. Even if the pro-
motional efforts are enhanced for the next census, history indicates
that heavy reliance upon a direct count, upon the kind of methodol-
ony that was employed for the 1990 census, would be misplaced.

e must guard against making the same mistakes again.

For example, as Congresswoman Meek has already mentioned.

Children have been undercounted. Children living in foster care,
who are not counted by either their parents or their caretaker are
not likely to be counted, notwithstanding an outreach campaign, no
matter how well conceived.


48

effort is likely to exceed the Bureau's resources. In gateway communities like Miami-Dade with
large numbers of recent immigrants, both documented and undocumented, the nonresponse rates
are likely to be higher. Again, as I've stated before, we believe the only way to account for these
hard-to-reach population groups will be through the use of scientific sampling techniques.

A bill recently introduced by one of our own representatives, Congresswoman Carrie Meek,
addresses the undercount issues and presents a reasonable solution to the problem. This bill
allows the Bureau to use sampling as a substitute for direct contact in a particular census tract
only after direct contact has been made with at least 90 percent of the households in such a tract.
Some form of sampling for nonresponse and coverage improvement is the only way in which
Miami-Dade and many other communities, after years of undercounting, will at last get credit for
all of their residents regardless of their language, national origin, immigrant status, living
arrangements, or economic well-being. We must to do whatever is needed to ensure that all
‘Americans, newcomers and native-bom alike, are properly counted.


117

Ms. SUMMERS. The Dade County Homeless Trust has, they have
been asked for input. That is our public sector partner, and they
have provided extensive input on homeless counting.

Mr. MILLER. How about Mr. Stokesberry, how have you been in-
volved?

Mr. STOKESBERRY. I have been personally involved with members
of the Bureau who have solicited me for people to serve as enu-
merators.

Mr. MILLER. OK. Ms. Jones, you mentioned they had contacted
you for some——

Ms. JONES. Yes, our office, we serve one of the Commission dis-
tricts and they wanted some of the minority contacts we had in our
office and we provided that information.

Mr. MILLER. OK. There is this Complete Count Committee they
are trying to organize, and I think the mayor, it was just an-
nounced, just organized it as of Monday of this week. So I know
they are going to wait the input of the Haitian community and all
the communities here, if possible.

I am impressed that the Haitian community has taken it on their
own initiative to get involved and ask for specifics. I was very im-
pressed with your presentation because you not only identified the
problems, you also gave us some suggestions and all that, and I
very much appreciate that.

We will have a quick question from each of the other two
Congresspersons here today.

Mrs. MALONEY. I first of all want to thank you, Mr. Chairman,
and my colleague and friend Carrie Meek, who has the great abil-
ity of hitting the main point very strongly.

And I would like to elaborate very briefly on the point that she
raised, because even before he came on as the chairman of the com-
mittee, this committee has been through various transformations
in the last year and I understand when we go back, we are going
to be moved someplace else. But at one point we had a series of
hearings on the categories of race, and it was very hotly debated
and there was a special task force assigned because civil rights is
just basic and we want to protect them. And what they came back
with, which has been accepted by many people, is that an individ-
ual can check as many categories as they wish, but for purposes
of compiling data, that which is the smallest minority in the coun-
try will be the one that becomes the data base. For example, if I
would check white and black, I would be counted black, because
that is a smaller constituency. If I were to check black and Haitian,
I would be counted as Haitian, yet you could count the Haitian, but
the total number of blacks would be listed in the country.

So it was a way of maintaining the civil rights base, but allowing
individuals to express their unique heritage. So I hope that that
clarifies a little bit. And most testimony believed that it would not
in any way undermine the data needed for a solid civil rights cases
that are basic to our country.

I just want to say that I thought you were terrific, and as Carrie
pointed out, there are many more terrific groups in the Miami fam-
ily that are here today who would have liked to have been with the
panel. We will certainly read all of your testimony, the chairman


53

‘Miami's position as un international gateway; nearly 60 percent of our residents are foreign born. In fact,
almost 30 percent of our residents have entered the U.S. since 1980. Yet many of these recent
immigrants bring with them few resources and quickly join the ranks of our “difficult to count”
residents. Following the Mariel boallift of 1980 — a year which also brought many desperate Haitian
refugees to Miami - the federal government ucknowledged the presence of more than 50,000
undocumented refugees in Miami. Today almost one-half of Miami's adult population are not U.S.
Citizens, while over 73 percent of Miami's population speaks a language other than English at home ~
‘the highest rate in the nation. Distrust of government, uncertain immigration status, lack of # permancnt
address, and linguistic isolation prevent many recent immigrants from responding to census
‘enumerators.

‘The housing status of many of Miami's residents is certain to contribute tu u sizable undercount in the
2000 Census. Miami is a geographically compact arca with a very high population density of over
10,000 inhabitants per square mile — and within this dense febric are thousands of bouscholds living in
‘overcrowded and often illegally subdivided housing. Pinning down the true rumnber of residents or
households living in a given structure in Miami is often a challenging proposition. Furthermore, the
problem of homelessness is a growing reality in Miami ~ and difficult to document — with thousands of
individuals living in shelter, in shanties, in the homes of fricnds and relatives, or on the streets, The vast
majority ofthese individuals are constantly on the move, and so arc all the more difficult to count.

Finally, 50 percent of Miami's residents claim not to speak English ‘very well’ 32 percent report that
they speak English “not well’ or ‘not at all.” Many of these linguistically isolated individuals are also
oor: ary orev a wreasbosing ccustances, Ti fait wo unersandcx cnc
in English will make them all the more likely to cvade census enuraerators in 2000,

‘Taken together, thesc characteristics show the City of Miami to be at an unusual disadvantage among
American cities in regard to census undercounting. Ifthe limiting principle of a simple strict count ix
employed in the 2000 Census, both the best efforts of the Census Bureau and the City of Miami's
concerted efforts to assist the Bureau will be thwarted. This traditional count method will miss the
thousands of residents who for the reasons slated above will prove too difficult to fied by Census
‘enumerators. The City of Miami has been consistently undercounted in the pas. In the 1990 census, for
instance, it is estimated that at least five percent and possibly as much as cight perusnt of the population
‘was excluded - between 18,000 and 29,000 individuals. In the 2000 Census we must do a better job.
Fundamental fairness requires that all persons be accounted for. Communitics with large numbers of
minorities, poor people, and recent immigrants should not be penalized simply because these people are
harder to reach than others.

The challenge thut lies abead for the Census Bureau is great, and the effons of the Bureau must be
applauded. Clearly the Bureau's attempts to measure past undercounts, its sef-assessment following the
1990 Census, and its carefully considered proposals to reduce the undercount ia the forthcoming census
are to be praised. Yet past experience gives little eause for optimism that the 2000 Census will be any
‘more sccurate than those of 1990 or 1980. Despite increasingly accurate master address lists and
‘improved enumeration practices, survey response rates are expected to decrease nationwide. Increasing
immigration and economic distress suggest thal the 2000 Census will result in a still greater undercount
unless changes are made in how the census is conducted.


138

Ms. Lynn Summers
December 1998
Page 3

record of the December 10, 1998, hearing. if you have any questions, please contact Michelle
‘Ash at (202) 225-5420, ‘Thank you in advance for your cooperation and assistance.

Sincerely,

Uoiek 4. tL,
Carolyn B. Maloney
‘Ranking Minority Member
‘Subcommittee on the Census
ce: The Honorable Dan Miller
Chairman, Subcommittee on the Census


49

Ms. MALLETTE. Good afternoon, Mr. Chair, members of the com-
mittee and Congresswoman Meek.

I am pleased to be here on behalf of Mayor Joe Carollo—

Mr. MILLER. Pull the microphone a little closer, please.

Ms. MALLETTE. I am pleased to be here on behalf of Mayor Joe
Carollo and the city of Miami Commission. I want to apologize that
the mayor could not be here personally and he did prepare some
comments that he would like me to read for him.

As we prepare for the 2000 census, it is necessary to consider the
appropriateness of traditional methods of census enumeration in
light of the harsh reality that thousands of our city’s residents will
not be reached by those methods. Miami is a great city, the gate-
way to the Americas, but the rate of poverty in many of our neigh-
borhoods, our abundance of recent immigrants from poor countries,
the prevalence of overcrowded housing and homelessness through-
out our city and a linguistic isolation of many of our residents will
ensure that many individuals and families will fall through the
cracks when the census is taken. Since the availability of funding
for addressing these difficult conditions hinges so directly on cen-
sus data, the sad reality is that the very presence of these prob-
lems will stand in the way of their cure.

Poverty is foremost among the factors which result in under-
counting, and with a poverty rate of 31.2 percent, Miami is the
fourth poorest city in the United States. Further, while ranked
fourth poorest by the poverty rate, Miami has the lowest median
household income in the Nation, just $16,925. Moreover, Miami has
become poor in dramatic fashion. In 1980, the rate of poverty was
24.5 percent. During the 1980’s an additional 26,000 persons were
added to those already below the poverty level. Many areas of the
city are considerably poorer than the city as a whole, and in the
majority of community development target areas, the poverty rate
is above 40 percent, with two areas evidencing rates above 50 per-
cent. The gravity of the situation and its implications for the future
are seen in the poverty rate for children, which stands at 44 per-
cent for the city as a whole and in certain target areas, above 60
percent. Miami’s poor will be difficult to count for numerous rea-
sons. Many are constantly on the move with no permanent resi-
dence, many speak no English, many fear government questioning
and many, sadly, live on the street.

Miami is very proud of its diversity. No other American city is
as comparably diverse. Over 90 percent of residents are of minority
backgrounds, with 60 percent Hispanics and almost 30 percent
black. Within these groups is another layer of diversity—Hispanics
are represented by Cubans, Nicaraguans, Dominicans, Puerto
Ricans and other immigrant groups from the Caribbean Basin na-
tions; while amongst blacks, Afro-Americans and Haitians are the
main groups. Much of this diversity stems from Miami's position as
an international gateway, nearly 60 percent of our residents are
foreign born. In fact, almost 30 percent of our residents have en-
tered the United States since 1980. Yet many of these recent immi-
grants bring with them few resources and quickly join the ranks
of our “difficult to count.” Following the Mariel boatlift in 1980, a
year which also brought many desperate Haitian refugees to
Miami, the Federal Government acknowledged the presence of


18

‘growing impact on other social and cconomic factors as well.

To date,Census 2000 and preparations for it have operated in stealth mode. The average citizen in
‘my neighborhood is not aware of the Committee's hard work. the Census Bureau's efforts, nor what
lics ahead in the year 2000. A morc high profile, public process is essential. There already should
be an aggressively, focused outreach campaign. Although the Census Bureau operates a local office
in Miami-Dade County, their efforts could be enhanced by mote dircct, face-to-face contact with
targeted groups. Also, the Burcau should hire more poople who arc indigenous to the neighborhoods
or contract with community-based organizations that provide supportive services to many hard to
reach populations. Morcover, field operatives must underscore the issue of confidentiality when
soliciting information,

One comment on the release of information electronically. Releasing information clectronically may
be more efficient and may produce a cost savings, but this method continues to exclude more of the
poople that have been victims of undercounts. Thus, clectronic communication should not be used
to supplant direct face-to-face contact.

‘When it comes to the actual count, the sampling option should not be abandoned. The statistical
sampling method proposed is the same method used to calculate our unemployment rate and the
Gross National Product. It is valid. Using this sampling technique would provide a more accurate
measure for counting people and would compensate for acknowledged undercounting inherent in
traditional enumeration techniques. The real impediment to an accurate census count isn’t scicntific,
it is political. Experts know how to make the count more accurate. But, if politics prevent
implementation of known techniques for greater accuracy, the biggest loscrs will once again be
Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, and children.

‘One recent indication of political tampering and the intent to inaccurately enumerate is the lack of
funding appropriated for the process. Congress has appropriated only half of the funding required
to conduct the 2000 Census. In light of inadequate funding for the census, it scems that other
arguments for fair enumeration lose muster. Given Congress” lack of funding, the 2000 Census
overall, will be much worse than the 1990 Census — and 1990 was the first time in history that the
current year's count was less accurate than the previous count.

‘So how do we overcome the obvious politics and sentiments like those of Representative John Linder
from Georgia? Mr. Linder has gone on record stating that even if the Supreme Court rules that
sampling is legal, Republicans still won't fund it

11 just seems that rather than selectively adjusting the numbers in hindsight, as was done after the
1990 Census, why not build in methods to conduct the best count possible on the front cnd of the
2000 Census process. However, if politics-as-usual wins out, the nation will have missed a historic
‘opportunity to end a longstanding injustice.

‘The bottom line in the 2000 Census is that everyone counts and everyone should be counted.

Page?


88

to seek refuge in the United States. Instead of a safe haven they
were yearning for, they found themselves in long-term detention
Where they were subjected to emotional and sometimes physical
abuse.

Typically, Haitians have been forced to become part of an
underclass because they have not been welcomed here. They have
been easy targets for discrimination and consequently less likely to
provide information during the census process.

Immigration status was also a problem. Most Haitians who im-
migrated to the United States were asylum seekers, as you know.
For the most part, their claims were arbitrarily denied on the
premise that they were economic refugees and did not have a well-
founded fear of persecution if they were returned to Haiti. They
were subjected to unfair treatment and their most basic rights
were oftentimes violated. They lived in constant fear of deportation
and as a result they were not willing to provide confidential infor-
mation about themselves to complete the census applications.
Many did not mail back the applications or did not come to com-
plete the applications. More recently, the unequal treatment of

aitian refugees was evidenced when Congress excluded them from
legislation which granted legal residency to 153,000 Nicaraguans
and Cubans; eligibility to apply for suspension of deportation to
thousands of Guatemalans, Salvadorans and Eastern Europeans.
The Haitian-American community reacted swiftly to this unfair ex-
clusion and, with the help of Congresswoman Meek here with you,
led a successful campaign which culminated in the enactment of
the legislation granting residency to about 50,000 Haitian immi-
grants. However, the Haitians still did not receive equal treatment
with the Cubans and Nicaraguans. In fact, this figure only rep-
resents a third of all eligible applicants. So there are many, many
illegal Haitian immigrants still living here in south Florida.

Housing arrangements. Due to economic hardships, Haitian fam-
ilies are frequently forced to share space with other households and
often sublet additions on homes which would not be counted as sep-
arate living quarters. The principal renter of the property is often
reluctant to share information about persons they are subleasing to
for fear of legal reprisals, and families subletting are reluctant to
report their presence for fear of rental increases. The overcrowded
conditions within the Haitian community has seriously impacted
housing conditions. In many families, children and adults alike
share the same sleeping quarters and live in substandard condi-
tions.

Lack of communication and information about the census. As a
result of poor resource allocations and lack of community outreach,
the Haitian community did not get sufficient information about the
importance of the census and its impact on child care, the students,
Social Security, Medicare, people living with disabilities and job
training. This community, the Haitian community, I must say re-
lies mainly on Creole radio and television shows as its main source
of information.

What are some recommendations for the census 2000?

Recruitment of census takers. The Census Bureau must recruit
census takers who not only speak Creole, but who are also sen-
sitive to the specific needs of the Haitian-American community. It


43

PAGE 2

Ke urge you to consider the plight of high growth states suct
Florida as you make your decision about use of the stetistical date
augment the census head-count. It's net a natte: special treatment
Florida -- it's a matter of fair treatment for all the states.

Thank you for ycur consideration.

Sincerely,



129

5. Inyour opinion, does the Census Bureau’s design for the 2000 census include a sufficient
amount of time and resources to promote the census in the Haitian Community?

testified at the hearing that Haltian- Americans reportedly had a 45-50% undercount.
‘This figure was based on 8 post census research conducted by Dr. Alex Stapick, a Sociology
Professor at Florida Internatinal University. I gave several reasons for the undercount,
ineluding, immigration status, housing arrangement, lack of communication and
information, however the lack of available resources to implement a sound education
program ‘9 major role. The Haltian-American Grassroots Coalition took the
initiative to form the Census Committee to assist the Census Bureau and work diligently to
dimiaish the wadercount in the census 2000. Thus far, P'm not aware of a specific plan
targeting the Haltian-American community. I know that a Regional Coordinator : Mr.
‘Frantz Jean-Louls has been hired, but knowing the scope of the problem and
facing the Haitian community in Florida, I'm certain that he will only be able to touch the
“tip of the iceberg”. I recommended that the use of radio and television programs, as well
‘as major newspapers to disseminate information to this needy population. Implementing.
such a program requires adequate planning and sufficient allocations of funds to guarantee
success! It ls my opinion that this campaign will be a faiture if it relies only om 30 seconds
“predone commercials “ to give out information in the hardest to enumerate popullations
The Census Bureau must use the expertise of grassroots, community based, and church
organizations to launch a comprehensive, culturally sensitive, and intensive education
campaign as soon as possible , to start buildiag community understanding and support. It
‘will also be helpful to establish local monitoring systems/programs wi where commen
members can either come to complete applications if they are not comfortable of
censas takers in thelr homes, or to provide feedback or partake in the census process.

6. __ You testified that having a specific classification in the 2000 census to identify Haitians
could help reduce the undercount of the Haitian population. Could you expand on your
statement, the Subcommittee is interested more about how this would help improve the accuracy
‘on the Haitian count?

We, in the Haitian community truly believed that the census categories ought to be reflective of
the demographic changes which have transformed the U.S. landscape for the past 30 years, The
inclusion af 2 specific classification under Blacks in the census to identify Haltian-Americans will
help reduce the undercount of the Haitian population for the following reason.

1. Haitians have always been lumped under “Aftican Americans”, Consequently, we have
been unable to respond to the specific needs of that population because we just don't kaw how
‘many are there... in the school systems, in state custody, in the criminal justice system etc. This.
uncertainty has prevented us from developing short term and long term plans to sotve the
numerous problems that the community has confronted. As a result of the counting process,
allocation of funds at the local and state level have been very limited . Haitians would be
encouraged to partake in the census process if they know that their participetion will directly
impact on issues like federal allocation, and district reapportionment. Haitians are the second
largest group In South Florida after Cubans, however, we have no representation yet at the local


118

2. That it is possible to improve the accuracy of the census count by
reducing the emphasis on traditional enumeration and utilizing validly
obtained statistical estimates of those numbers and population
characteristics not directly enumerated or missed.

3. That with the implementation of statistical enumeration in order to
Produce a complete count, a reengineering of the census procedures
and operations could effectuate a substantial cost savings while census
accuracy is improved.

Consequently, with the foregoing in mind, | submit that it is important to
the South Florida Asian American community that a valid and complete
census be undertaken in the year 2000, one which wilt fairly and accurately
depict this growing community.

In Florida, it has been reported that the Asian/Pacific Islander
population of the state has risen to approximately 253,100 people in 1997
which moved Florida up in rank from the 9" largest Asian/Pacific Islander
population to the 8" largest among the 50 states. This would represent a
reported Asian/Pacific Islander population rise of over 96,600 people from
1990 to 1997, if these numbers are accurate.

According to statistics issued by the U.S. Census Bureau relating to
the 1990 census with respect to the State of Florida, the percentage of
undercount by race varies from 1.6% to 5.3% with Asian/Pacific Islanders
undercounted by 1.8%. These percentages represent a net total
undercount in Florida of 259,829 people of all races and ranges from a high
of 165,860 to a low of 1,039 with approximately 2,880 Asian/Pacific
Islanders going uncounted. To gauge this impact on South Florida, the
region's four most populous cities, Miami (18,831), Hialeah (9,444), Fort
Lauderdale (3,310), and Hollywood (1,766) account for 33,351 people who
were not counted in the last census.

The magnitude of this undercounting has resulted in the
shortchanging of federal funds directed to Florida to attend to and provide
for the needs of our schools, roads, health facilities, housing, and other
important services not just to Asian/Pacific Islanders in Florida but to all
Floridians regardless of race or ethnicity.


122

ONE HUNDRED FIFTH CONGRESS. =

Bouse of Representatives aa

Wasvanaron, DC 20515-6149,

December 22, 1998

Ms. Opal Jones
Chief of Staff

County Commissioner
19222 N.W. 89th Avenue
Miami, FL 33018

Dear Ms. Jones:

‘Thank you for testifying at our recent field hearing in which we examined the Census Bureau's
plans for the 2000 Census. The testimony you provided was informative and helpful to the
‘Subcommittee’s oversight of the census.

As you may recall, during the question and answer period of your panel, you were informed that
‘we may have additional questions to submit for your written response. Accordingly. I request
that you provide written responses to the following questions:

‘The Census Bureau is making an effort to hire people who are part of the group known as
the hardest to enumerate, typically Hispanics, Blacks, American Indians, the Homeless,
the Elderly. How can the Census Bureau reach out to those people for employment
purposes, and do the organizations which you represent provide job placement
assistance?

Many people in the hardest to enumerate populations have a general distrust of the
Federal Government. Can you suggest ways the Census Bureau can alleviate their fears
and concems?

‘The Census Bureau enumerators hand out privacy notices when they visit households. Is
that enough?

‘An important part of the Census Bureaus outreach/promotion efforts for the 2000 Census
are the Complete Count Committees established by local governments. The Census
Bureau expects the committees to form subcommittees to reach traditionally
undercounted groups; sponsor promotional events; and obtain local media coverage.

Congress of the United States a

COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REFORM AND OVERSIGHT wees
2157 Ravounn House OrFice BuLoma Sa


127

Building,
‘Washington, DC 20815-6143
‘Honorable Carolyn Maloney:

Teommend you for your efforts to make Census 2000 a “fair and true count” for all, and for your
special interests in the hardest to enumerate populations, I ‘m certain thet with your committment
and dedication, we will be able to improve the accuracy of the upcoming census, Here ere some

answers to the questions listed in your lenter:

1, The Census Bureau is making an effort to hire people who are part of the group known as
the hardest to enumerate, typically Hispanics, Blacks, American Indlans, the Homeless, the
Elderly. How can the Census Bureau reach out to those people for employment purposes, and do
the organizations which you represent provide job placement ansistance?
‘A. The best way for the Census Bureau to hire people who are part of the groups known as
the hardest to enumerate is to do it through churches , community agencies, civic and grassroots
organizations, and adult community schools.

‘The Haitian- American Grassroots Coalition is a community based organization made up of

‘grassroots organizations

Through the census committee that I'm chalring, the Census Bureau can access available
‘Fesources to recruit and hire a local workforce that represents the specific and cultural needs of
‘hard to reach populations.

2. Many people in the hardest to enumerate populations have a general distrust of the Federal
Government. Can you suggest ways the Census Bureau can alleviate their fears and concerns?
‘A. Generally, these groups fear the Federal Government because of past political

in their country of origin and the negative treatment they received upon arrival in the United
‘States. In order to alleviate their fears and concerns, the Bureau must conduct an aggressive and
‘astained educational campaign in these communities before and during the census process while
‘using people these groups trust and relate to. The Census must rely on radio and TV appeals
made by known community members, visit churches, and also local schools to educate children
‘and parents about the importance of the census. Printed materials, including brochures and posters
‘which will be used to reach out to the Haitian population should also be made available in Creole.
‘Most importantly, it must stress the importance of coafidentialy in the entire process and
convince people that collected information aud data will solely be used to get am accurate
count. They must feel confident that the “counting process” has nothing to do with
immigration or any law enforcement agency,


CONTENTS

Hearing held on December 10, 1998 ....
Statement of:

Schlakman, Mark, special counsel to Governor Chiles, State of Florida;
Senator Gwen Margolis, chairperson of the board, Board of Dade Coun-
ty Commissioners; Kelly C. Mallette, policy advisor, Office of Mayor

foe Carollo, city of Miami, FL; and Merrett R. Stierheim, county man-
er, Miami-Dade County, FL .. .

Stokesberry, John, director, Area Alliance for Aging; Opal Jones, chief
of staff, Commissioner Betty Ferguson; Dr. Dario Moreno, associate
professor, Department of Political Science, Florida International Uni-
versity; Marleine Bastien, L.C.S.W., Commission on the Census 2000,
Haitian-American Grassroots Coalition; and Lynn Summers, executive
director, Community Partnership for Homeless

Letters, statements, etc., submitted for the record by:

Bastien, Marleine, L.C.S.W., Commission on the Census 2000, Haitian-
American Grassroots Coalition, prepared statement of ..... .

Jones, Opal, chief of staff, Commissioner Betty Ferguson, prepared state-

ment of ... a
Mallette, Kelly C., policy advisor, Office of Mayor Joe Carollo, city of
Miami, FL, prepared statement of
Maloney, Hon. Carolyn B., a Repre:
of New York:
Editorial entitled, “Counting on a True Count”
Information concerning the undercount in Mia
Prepared statement of ..
Margolis, Senator Gwen, chairperson of
Commissioners, prepared statement of ...
Meek, Hon. Carrie P., a Representative in
Florid:
Additional statements for the record ...
Leadership Counsel on Civil Rights document
Prepared statement of ..
Miller, Hon. Dan, a Representative in Congress from the State of Florida,
prepared statement of -
Moreno, Dr. Dario, associate professor, Department of Political Science,
Florida International University, prepared statement of a
Schlakman, Mark, special counsel to Governor Chiles, State of Florida,
prepared statement of ... .
Stokesberry, John, director, Area Alliance for Aging, prepared statement

Congress from the State of

Summers, Lynn, executive director, Community Partnership for Home-
less, prepared statement of

robb)

35

91
7
52

15
19

110
24
28
81

39
m1



pny

seen

145

= vere soers ar
SSS = — Congress of the Gniten States =» Se
= Hoouse of Representatives =
—— COMMITTEE ON GOVERRAENT REFORM AND OVERSIGHT eS

ooo man 2157 Ravaurn House Ormce Busan, Seis
io ee ‘Wastanaron, DC 20515-6143 ress.

|
t
|

December 22, 1998

‘Mr. Mark Schlakman
Special Counsel to Governor Chiles
The Capitol

Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
Dear Mr. Schlakman:

‘Thank you for testifying at our recent field hearing in which we examined the Census Bureau's
plans for the 2000 Census. The testimony you provided was informative and helpful to the
‘Subcommittee's oversight of the census.

‘As you may recall, during the question and answer period of your panel, you were informed that
t .

we may have additional questions to for your ‘Accordingly, req
that you provide written responses to the following questions:

1. Has your jurisdiction appropriated any money, or does it have any pians to appropriate
money, to supplement the Census Bureau's efforts during the 2000 Census?

2. Ifthe undercount is eliminated, oat least significantly reduced, for the State of Florida in
the 2000 Census, do you know if Florida would gain more seats in the U.S. House of
Representatives? What would be the impact of more accurate numbers on the State
legislature?

3. In your written statement you say that more than a quarter million people were missed in
Florida in 1990 (nearly 2 percent of Florida's population). You also say that the
‘undercount affects the amount of federal funds allocated to Florida for roads, and senior
citizen, Head Start and schoo! lunch programs. Can you estimate how much in federal
funding was lost for Miami, Dade County, and Florida since 1990? How much per
person in federal money comes to Miami, Dade County, and Florida?

4. The Census Bureau is making a major effort to hire people from welfare to work on the
2000 census. Unfortunately, in some states, taking a temporary position with the Census

i


106

gresswoman Meek and others have really expressed the same con-
cern that you are—are they going to really be able to reach all the
diverse communities. We will be asking them to come forward and
meet with Members of Congress. I spoke to Dan on the closing days
of the legislature when we were leaving, he agreed to host such a
meeting, not a formal hearing, so that these points could come for-
ward.

As a followup to my question to you, we are very pleased and I
think all of your testimony was absolutely excellent. I have read so
much about this issue and I have heard so many people testify, but
I literally learned a great deal from all of you today, and I really
thank Carrie for bringing you together. But it raises the question
of those that were left out.

She was telling me 2 seconds ago, she said Carolyn, we have
some great people on this panel, but there are many other commu-
nities from her district and this area that were not on the panel
that we wish we had 2 or 3 days to do this so we could hear from
everyone. But I would like to hear from you if you can tell us if
there is a way that we or the Census Bureau can reach out to these
other communities and how we are going to do that. And I just
want to know also, we want them to have a voice, how can we
bring in their voice.

But another second question is, we have to hire a at number
of enumerators. How are we going to reach all of these commu-
nities? Do you have a way to advertise to your various communities
that these jobs are available? How can we work with the Census
Bureau to reach out—there will be literally hundreds of thousands
of jobs that will need to be filled for a short period of time. Your
comments on that. And again, I open it up for comment by every-

ly.

Mr. STOKESBERRY. Let me start then because to every storm
there is a silver lining and if there is any good thing that that ter-
rible hurricane Andrew brought this community, it was we had to
learn real fast how to work together to survive. And segments of
this community that never knew each other before that disaster
now do know each other. And we have 60 voluntary agencies in the
VOAD, the Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster. And as I
said in a meeting last week with the people from the Census Bu-
reau, I consider this crisis that we are going to face in 2000 as big
a disaster, potential disaster, as a hurricane or a natural event, an
earthquake.

And the reason that those agencies are out there, and you heard
Professor Moreno speak of the fact that now we have people inter-
twined, interrelated. I hope you did not miss the subtlety of what
Ms. Jones said about neighborhood. She said as an African-Amer-
ican, it would not even be appropriate perhaps for her to go to the
James E. Scott Housing. They would know she is not from that
neighborhood. Believe me, they know who is from their neighbor-
hood. And this spreads across the width and breadth of the county.
Yes, Cor sswoman, we do know how to reach that——

Mrs. NEY. How can we make sure that all of these commu-
nities have a voice? How can we make sure that they are all
brought into the process?


66

My questions to this panel will have to do certainly with whether
or not you will be able to cull all of the disparate groups that are
in this county to get each of them really on target and realize that
they are stakeholders in this. I see the need for some sort of sum-
mit on the census, which I think the county and the city can do
better than anyone. And I am hoping from this panel I can get an
answer that it will be a coordinated approach. So that my question
is will you be able to come forward with a coordinated approach so
that we will not have a proliferated kind of approach, so that in
the city, you will do one thing, the county will do the other thing,
the municipalities will do another thing. It would be good if we
could get some answers from you on that, just as you do with the
empowerment zone, if you could do this on the census.

That is my question to the panel.

Ms. MARGOLIS. Do you want us to respond in writing?

Mrs. MEEK. No, now would be good.

Mr. STIERHEIM. I would say yes, that only makes sense. It would
be foolish for several cities, particularly the city of Miami and Hia-
leah and others, to be working independent of what the county is
trying to achieve because it is of mutual benefit to the city and to
the county. So I would say that a coordinated effort would be the
only way to go.

Mrs. MEEK. Thank you.

Ms. Marcouis. I think, Congresswoman, that the School Board
could be extremely helpful. I kind of said to Mr. Schlakman under
my breath we teach in 60 languages and we can certainly identify
those students that do not necessarily speak Portuguese or Spanish
or the Haitian dialect. We can certainly communicate then through
the school system and get information on where they are coming
from. I mean I think the School Board is going to be a big key in
finding some of the very, very diverse groups that we have out
there, and we have a lot of them. We have a lot of Russian immi-
grants also.

Mrs. MEEK. Thank you. Those are my questions, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. MILLER. Just one comment by the way about the school sys-
tem. The Census Bureau is doing a lot of good things and there are
a lot of things that are different from 1990. And one of the pro-
grams they are really stressing is an educational component with
the schools, to make it an educational program for the students
and then the parents get involved in the program. So I am de-
lighted they are working on this particular program, because that
is one source to get not only the children counted, but also to get
the parents counted.

Mr. STIERHEIM. Just one added thought. I have a concern, which
T hope does not become a reality, but it will be pressure. Given the
devastation that has occurred with the hurricanes that went
through the Caribbean and Central American countries, and hav-
ing had quite a bit of experience with this, I can see tremendous
pressure for people to try to come into this country. And Miami has
always been a very popular destination. I mean I just see this situ-
ation as perhaps even getting more serious for this community, cer-
tainly potentially and probably in a realistic sense, in reality.

Mr. MILLER. Yes, I saw that in your written statement. And that
is some of the problems we have to be prepared to address for the


52

City of Miami
Testimony before the

US. House of Representatives
‘Committee on Government Reform & Oversight

for the

‘Miami-Dade County Field Hearing
December 10, 1998

‘As we prepare for the 2000 Census, it is necessary to consider the appropriateness of atlitional methods
of census eaumeration in fight of the harsh reality that thousands of our city’s resideuts will not be
reached by those methods. Miami is a great city ~ the gateway to the Americas — but the rate of poverty
in many of our neighborhoods, our abundance of recent immigrants from poor countries, the prevalence
‘of overcrowded housing and homelessness throughout our city, and the linguistic isolation of many of
‘our residents will ensure that many individuals and families will fall rough the cracks when the census
is taken. Since the availability of funding for addressing these difficult caaditions hinges so directly on
‘census data, the sad reality is that the very presence of these problems will stand in the way of their cure.

Poverty is foremost among the factors which result in undereounting ~ and with a poverty rate of 31.2
percent, Miaca is the fourth poorest city in the United States. Further, while ranked fourth poorest by the
poverty rate, Miami has the lowest median household income in the nation, just $16,925. Moreover,
Miami bas become poorer in dramatic fashion. In 1980, the rate of poverty was 24.5 percent. During the
1980s, an additional 26,000 persons were added to thosc already below the poverty level. Many areas of
the city are considerably poorer than the city as a whole. In the majority of community developraent
target areas, the poverty rate is above 40 percent with two areas evidencing rates above 50 percent, The
‘gravity of the situation and its implications for the future are seen in the poverty rate for children, which
stands at 44 percent for the City as a whole and, in certain target areas, is above 60 percent. Miami's
poor will be difficult to count for numerous reasons — many are constantly on the move, with no
Reranent redece, many Speak no English many fear goverment quesionng, Many. sadly ive on
street.

Miami is proud of its diversity — no otber American city is comparably diverse. Over 90 percent of
cesidens are of mina backgrounds wih ove 60 percent Hispanic and sent 30 pret Black,
Within these groups is layer of diversity: by Cubans, Ni
Dominicans, Porto Ricans, aod oer imuaigrant groupe fom he Caribbean Basin aaios; while
‘amongst Blacks, Afro-Americans and Haitians are the main groups. Much of this diversity stems from



101

Here is how we do it. We conduct an a periodic basis actual streets counts — consistent
with the straight enumeration method proposed by the Majority. But because we know
and have experienced the limits of this actual street count methodology, we go one step
farther and we apply a multiplier to account for the real numbers of homeless or
underhoused persons. This use of a multiplier is the equivalent of the statistical sampling
methodology proposed by the Census Bureau in the Census 2000 Plan.

To conduct the census process otherwise will produce skewed results which will not
serve our nation, this community and similar large, complex, urban and multi-ethnic
communities.


26

Mrs. MEEK. We missed out on these funds because the numbers
were not accurate. Clearly this was not good for our families or for
our children. So we are doing everything here in Miami—we are
appealing to all of the people to make sure it does not happen
again. For years and years, I have had a long and abiding interest
in making sure that we get the numbers right in Florida and
around the country. In fact, I sponsored a bill, which I told you
about, to help ensure that communities get a fair representation of
enumerators. I want to call to the chairman’s attention that he said
that he would co-sponsor and help with that bill this year.

We can encourage everyone to participate in this census effort
without intimidating them. In poor or immigrant communities
strangers, particularly strangers representing the government, are
often viewed with suspicion. The ranking member, Carolyn
Maloney, mentioned that. One of the ways to address this problem
is to hire census enumerators who live in the neighborhoods in
which they are working. To support this effort, I introduced a bill
which makes sure that if you receive welfare benefits, food stamps,
housing or health care assistance and you want to get a part-time
job as a census enumerator, that additional income will not cause
you to lose your benefits. That bill had 60 co-sponsors, and I am
grateful for Chairman Miller’s support for this bill. We have done
so many things here in Dade County to be sure that we get an ac-
curate count.

Bear in mind that for the first time there will be a paid advertis-
ing campaign for the 2000 census. I have supported efforts to make
sure that minorities and women get a percentage of the multi-mil-
lion dollar contracts handed out by the Census Bureau. Addition-
ally, I have insisted that the Census Bureau’s $100 million adver-
tising contract message be focused on African-Americans and His-
panics and other people of color for whom the undercount is par-
ticularly important. Remember that in the last census, we missed
more blacks than in any of the previous five census counts. This
is why getting the message out to residents on local radio and tele-
vision stations and in the print media will encourage higher par-
ticipation rates in the census effort.

Mr. Chairman, my testimony goes on and on. I am going to sub-
mit it for the record.-I do not want to take any more of your time.
I thank you very much for allowing me to speak, you and Ranking
Member Maloney. Thank you very much.

Mr. MILLER. Thank you very much, Congresswoman. For the
record, Congresswoman Meek is not actually a member of this par-
ticular committee. We are jointly members of the Appropriations
Committee together. Officially for the record, I think Congress-
woman Maloney will introduce it for the record, if that is correct.
That will make it official.

Mrs. MEEK. Thank you.

Mrs. MALONEY. I would like to introduce this for the record. It
is very interesting. Actually, I would like a copy of your testimony,
if I could. It is great.


22

the 1990 census. That is about the same number of people who live
in my hometown, the city of Tallahassee. The highest miscalcula-
tions occurred in the Miami/Dade County area. For Miami, the
undercount was 4.99 percent, or over 18,000 people were not count-
ed. In Dade County, the 3.69 percent undercount shows that 74,206

ple were missed. Now think of the statistical errors that may
be there, there were probably many more than that, but this is sort
of an approximation on an accurate count.

A disproportionate number of these residents not counted, Mr.
Chairman, were people of color; 4 percent were African-Americans,
1.8 percent were Asian, 5.3 percent were of Hispanic origin and 2.7
percent were Native American. We cannot let this happen again,
and it will if we do not get an accurate census count. We cannot
let it happen again because an accurate census is all about power.
It is all about, money which should be coming to Dade County and
to this State that will help us with our quality of life.

Census 2000 will be used to determine how many seats each
State has in the House of Representatives. We have 23 seats now
in the House of Representatives, but if we get an undercount, we
may have less than 23 seats. If we get an accurate count, we may
have more, that is true. Census 2000 will also be used to draw
boundaries for State and local political districts, school board dis-
tricts, all the local and political ones.

Census 2000 will be used as a basis for allocating billions of dol-
lars each year in Federal and State funds. This development is so
important to our people because census numbers drive the distribu-
tion of nearly $200 billion in tax revenue each year. In other words,
if the count in our district is too low, then the distribution of Fed-
eral funds to our district will be too low. You may feel that people
should be held responsible for showing up for the count—they ma:
not show up for the count, as Chairman Miller said, but they will
show up when it is time to give out food stamps. They will show
up when we have a hurricane and we need funds down here to feed
these ple, to clothe them and house them. They will show up
then. So that is why it is so important that we take all of these
things into consideration. Based on the last census count, chairman
and ranking member, we have reason to be concerned about that
possibility.

We are a strong ethnically diverse community, we love each
other, we live with each other, we do not always speak the same
language, but we understand each other and we must work to-
gether and we realize that. The failure of the 1990 census to accu-
rately count our residents seriously shortcha! Federal funding
levels we should have received during this last 10 years. This
means that our community—to this district, money that could have
gone to improve our schools, to build roads and low-income housing
and to restore our public libraries, all of which would have made
the quality of life much better for the people who live here. But we
missed out on these funds because the numbers were inaccurate.
Clearly this was not good for our families or for our children.

Mr. Chairman, there was a very serious undercount of children
in the census. We must be sure that the children in Dade County
must be counted. They need moneys when they go—when you take
your child to Jackson Memorial Hospital for care, they count as


105

lations. And I would just like to ask who you think the spokes-
person should be to make this effective in the communities. Should
the person be a national figure such as the President or is it more
important to have local leaders promoting the census? In our paid
advertising, what would be the most effective way to reach these
communities? I just open it up to anyone.

Ms. JONES. I think local. You heard Marleine Bastien talk about
the Haitian community and the radio shows there. You have some
real local stars on Haitian radio that have more impact than any-
body on a national level could. It would be wonderful to have a Bill
Cosby come down, but Bill Cosby does not have the same impact
as would James T. on WEDR or Bishop Corey on WMBM. Local
stars will have impact, they have a following and they can motivate

ople, and of course Congresswoman Meek who a district.
Laughter.)

But nonetheless, local folks. I think the national level would be
for if you were going to do it on ABC, a national campaign, that
would be wonderful. But if yu are trying to target specific groups
locally, you have to deal with local heroes.

Ms. BASTIEN. I agree with Ms. Jones, I think we should use local
people who speak the language because language is an issue for
the Haitian community and I know it is an issue for the Hispanic
communities too. So I think using local people would be the best

way to go.

Mr. Sforeno. I think to understand the complexity of Dade
County, you have to understand that there are radio stations for—
there are several Cuban radio stations, there is a Colombian radio
station, there are programs for Nicaraguans and for different na-
tionalities. And you have to be very attuned which audience you
are reaching. There is not one specific Hispanic, there is not one
specific African-American, so you have to have—you have to do
your homework before you do the local campaign.

The fear I have is that you have the money and you hire a big
national media advertising firm in New York who knows nothing
of the region and——.

Mrs. MALONEY. They did not make the selection.

Mrs. MEEK. That is right, they did not.

Mr. MoRENO [continuing]. Does not know the local peculiarities.

Ms. SUMMERS. Would this be an appropriate task to assign or to
get formal input from local communities? You asked of our local
government leaders what resources they might be willing to com-
mit and what better commitment could be asked of them than to
design and perhaps fund a local campaign.

It has been interesting as I have thought about this upcoming
event over the last 2 weeks and have gone around talking about
it, it has amazed me that even in my circle, more people are aware
of and can speak more knowledgeably on the Y2K problem than
they can the census 2000 plan. And I think earlier is better. And

ain, there is not going to be one size fits all to talk about or to
address the issues of how to get the word out.

irs. MALONEY. The record will be open for 2 weeks for other
ideas that will come in. The contract was awarded through com-
petitive bidding to a firm that is world famous, Young and
Rubicam. But many of my colleagues in Congress, including Con-


34

partnerships with the Census Bureau to make

sure that everyone is counted at the grass-roots

level. No home should be missed. Every person
needs to be counted.

Let me remind you again why an accurate census
is so important. It’s all about political power and
money. All of these decisions will affect you for a
decade, so we need to get with the program and
participate in this effort so that the end result is
accurate.

30-30-30-30-30


115

Mrs. MEEK. And I have one other comment and it has to do with
something that Marleine said. It concerned me in the early begin-
nings when our ranking member who is over the Census Demo-
cratic Caucus, when we were talking to the Office of Management
and Budget about the proposed changes to the way that the data
is collected. If you remember, there was quite a discussion on this,
particularly on race and ethnicity, in that there were many who
said let us just retain the existing classifications, let African-Amer-
icans or blacks be blacks. And there were others who said, do not
limit them to identifying with one racial category because what
that does—and the Office of Civil Rights had a lot to say about
this—in that the question is there is a Tiger Woods syndrome out
there. There are many Tiger Woods in this country. They may be
black but they may have some white or they may be Chinese and
they have some other things. And the census now is going to allow
them to identify with whatever racial category they feel they
shoul

Now my questions is, will this particular approach dilute the ac-
tual number of minorities in this country, in that there are some
white mixed with black and some Asian mixed with black, and
when the census comes around and they ask that question, they
will not be able to say either/or or both, according to what I under-
stand. Now my question to the civil rights people in this group,
most of the civil rights that you get in this country is based on case
law, what has happened in the courts. And if you come up—and
we have Professor Moreno out there, who is an academician—when
they come to court, there may not be any case law on whether
Marleine has really been discriminated against because she may be
identified only as a Haitian, or she may be identified as a Tiger
Woods, who is both black and what, Filipino or whatever. My ques-
tion to him is will this dilute Marleine’s ability to get into the
courts and have case records to show that discrimination has ex-
isted against this group. And I know you can answer that. You had

etter.

Mr. Moreno. No, I mean I think there is a real danger. I think
you are absolutely right, Congresswoman, I think there is a real
danger. The importance of classification should have been made
clear in the 1970’s when Hispanic was not put down as a classifica-
tion and there was a tremendous undercount of Hispanics in the
1970 census, which they did not recover until the 1980’s. And I
think there is a real danger with those kinds of categories. I think
the murkier you make the categories, the more ambiguous
make the categories—a lot of Hispanics do not like the word
panic, they would prefer Latino or some other designation. But the
truth is you settle for however uncomfortable it is, but as long as
it is clear. I think the murkier you make it, you are absolutely
right, it is going to make it harder in terms of funding, it is going

to make it harder in terms of case law. And something that I was
very much involved in, it is going to make it harder in terms of vot-
ing rights challenges to districting.

remember, Congresswoman, you were the first African-
American elected from Florida since Reconstruction.
Mrs. MEEK. I remember, yes.


HHH i

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136

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December 22, 1998

Ms. Lynn Summers

Executive Director

‘Community Partnership for Homeless
1550 North Miami Avenue

Miami, FL 33136

Dear Ms. Summers:

Thank you for testifying at our recent field hearing in which we examined the Census Bureau’s
plans for the 2000 Census. The testimony you provided was informative and helpful to the
Subcommittee's oversight of the census.

‘As you may recall, during the question and answer period of your panel, you were informed that
‘we may have additional questions to submit for your written response. Accordingly, I request
that you provide written responses to the following questions:

1. The Census Bureau is making an effort to hire people who are part of the group known 1s
the hardest to enumerate, typically Hispanics, Blacks, American Indians, the Homeless,
the Elderly. How can the Census Bureau reach out to those people for employment
purposes, and do the organizations which you represent provide job placement

2. Many people in the hardest to enumerate populations have a general distrust of the
Federal Government. Can you suggest ways the Census Bureau can alleviate theic fears
and concems?

3. The Census Bureau enumerators hand out privacy notices when they visit households. Is
that enough?

4. To-ensure that the homeless have the opportunity to be included in the 2000 census, the
‘Census Bureau will enumerate people at places such as shelters and soup kitchens on


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112

remedy of the “one-person, one vote principle” which attempts to fairly
apportion representative government across the United States. Second,
federal assistance initiatives and funding have used census data as a guide
in dispensing federal funds to the various jurisdictions and communities
across the United States.

Given these uses of census data as examples, it is imperative that
complete and accurate census data be obtained and collected locally.
However, it has been noted that the 1990 census continues the trend of
undercounting certain segments of the American population for one reason
or another. It has been suggested that as many as 4,000,000 people of alt
faces were not counted in the 1990 census. A recent article in the Miami
Herald of November 27, 1998 reported that 4 South Florida congressional
districts were among the 50 districts nationwide cited for undercounting. It
has also been suggested that the 1990 census was the first time that a
census was less accurate than the preceding census and that the rate of
undercounting is increasing.

As troubling as it may seem that there is systemic undercounting in
the census process, an even more alarming note is the proposition that
undercounting was not uniform across the general population. Rather,
experts have suggested that African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian
Americans and Native Americans have been missed at a much greater rate
than White Americans. Experts have referred to this as “differential
undercount.”

Moreover, compounding the problem is that while the census has
become more inaccurate in depicting the various measurable
characteristics of the American people, the cost of conducting a complete
census is escalating sharply.

In response to these trends it is my understanding that Congress in
the past has authorized several studies of the twin problems of census
accuracy and cost effectiveness by panels of nationally recognized experts
who have concluded:

1. That it is fruitless to continue trying to count every last person with
traditional census methods or physical enumeration and that throwing
more money into these methods will not improve the census coverage
or data quality.


76

outreach campaign. Although the Census Bureau operates a local
office in Miami-Dade County, their efforts could be enhanced by
more direct face-to-face contact with targeted groups. Also, the Bu-
reau should hire people who are indigenous to the neighborhoods
or to contract with community-based organizations that provide
supportive services to many hard to reach populations. Moreover,
field operatives must underscore the issue of confidentiality when
soliciting information.

One comment on the release of information electronically. Releas-
ing information electronically may be more efficient and may
produce a cost savings, but this method continues to exclude more
of the people that have been victims of the undercounts. Thus, elec-
tronic communication should not be used to supplant direct face-
to-face contact.

When it comes to the actual count, the sampling option should
not be abandoned. The statistical sampling method proposed is the
same method used to calculate our unemployment rate and the
gross national product. It is valid. Using this sampling technique
would provide a more accurate measure for counting people and
would compensate for acknowledged undercounting inherent in tra-
ditional enumeration techniques. The real impediment to an accu-
rate census count isn’t scientific, it is political. Experts know how
to make the count more accurate. But if politics prevent implemen-
tation of known techniques for greater accuracy, the biggest losers
once again will be Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans
and children.

One recent indication of political tampering and the intent to in-
accurately enumerate is the lack of funding appropriated for the
process. Congress has appropriated only half of the funding re-
quired to conduct the 2000 census. In light of inadequate funding
for the census, it seems that other arguments for fair enumeration
lose muster. Given Congress’ lack of funding, the 2000 census over-
all will be much worse than the 1990 census, and 1990 was the
first time in history that the current year’s count was less accurate
than the previous count.

So how do we overcome the obvious politics and sentiments like
those of Representative John Linder from Georgia? Mr. Linder has
gone on record stating that even if the Supreme Court rules that
sampling is legal, Republicans still will not fund it.

It just seems that rather than selectively adjusting numbers in
hindsight, as was done in 1990—after the 1990 census, why not
build in methods to conduct the best count possible on the front
end of the 2000 census process. However, if politics-as-usual wins
out, the Nation will have missed a historic opportunity to end a
long-standing injustice.

The bottom line in the year 2000 census is that everyone counts
and everyone should be counted.

you.
Mr. MILLER. Dr. Moreno.
(The prepared statement of Ms. Jones follows:]


28

Statement of U.S. Rep. Carrie P. Meek
Hearing Before the Census Subcommittee of the
Gommittze on Government Reform and Oversight,
December 10, 1998

Good afternoon. This is a great time to have a
hearing on the Census 2000 effort. I would like to
commend Chairman Miller for bringing this
committee to Miami, a community which will benefit
greatly from an accurate census count. It makes
sense to do something about the undercount in this
district and around the nation by having these
hearings, which should help us make the census
effort more accurate.

The Constitution requires a census of our
population every ten years. Unfortunately, we have a
history of huge undercounts of the minority
community in our district, and indeed around the
whole country.

A Census Bureau survey shows that in the state
of Florida alone, more than one quarter of a million
people were undercounted during the 1990 census--


94

Francois Duvalier in 1971 and his replacement by his son Jean-Claude Duvalier, political
repression and the mismanagement of natural resources continued.

3. The third wave of Haitian immigrants consisted of peasants who had been dispossessed of
their land. These immigrants came in the 1990s, around the time of the Cuban exodus from
‘Mariel. Haitians who had entered without inspection by the Immigration and Naturalization
Service before the Mariel boatlift were allowed to identify themselves as “entrants” .

4. The fourth wave of immigrants came in 1991 after the coup d’etat that overthrew former
president Jean-Bertrand Aristide. ‘These refugees were mainly young students, members of
grassroots organizations, peasants, women, and human rights activists.

Since the boat people began arriving in the United States, successive U.S. administrations have
been trying to return as many of them as possible to Haiti. These administrations have contended
that although a few Haitians deserve asylum, the vast majority are economic and not political
refugees, According to the U.S. authorities, “allowing the mass of boat people to remain in the
US. would establish a precedent which would make it impossible to deny access to other
economic refugees”.

Profile of the Hi Pe ity in South Floria:

Its estimated that more than 1 million Hiitian-Americans reside in the United states, The largest
number live in the New York metropolitan area and Florida; other states that have a substantial
number of Haitians include Carlifornia, Connecticut, Georgia, Tlinois, Massachusetts, and New
Jersey. The Haitian community of South Florida is estimated at 450,000 with over half living in
Miami-Dade County . Within the City of Miami itself, the poverty indicator for Haitians is the
‘worst among all major ethnic groups.

‘Employment

‘A substantial proportion of the Haitian population is English speaking and well integrated in ther
communities. However, a large number of Haitians face serious hardships; 50 percent are
‘unemployed and are not proficient in English, This high rate can be attributed to the large amount
of undocumented individuals as well as discrimination based on national origin. Despite these
hardships though, Haitians have high rates of school attendance and strive for self-sufficiency.

Education

On the issue of educational achievement, Florida ranks 48th, and the Miami-Dade County Public
‘School system ranks among the lowest in the State in term of student achievement. The schools
which are located within the Haitian community in Miami-Dade County fare the worst in terms of
Fanguage, arts, math, and communication. Not enough afterschool programs are funded to tackle
the underachievement problem.

Healthcare :

“The lack of access to healthcare forces many Haltan-Americans to use the service of non-
traditional healthcare specalss, and In many cases, these specialists are l-equipped to assess




7

Testimony for the Miami-Dade County Field Hearing of the
Committee on Governmental Reform and Oversight
‘Subcommittee on the Census

Presented by Opal A. Jones

Good afternoon Mr. Chairman, Ms. Maloney. Ms. Meck, Let me join everyone elsc in expressing
my delight for you bringing this, your first, ficld hearing to Miami-Dade County. Once again
Congresswoman Meck has demonstrated her insight, forethought, and leadership on behalf of the
citizens of Florida.

1 appreciate this opportunity to speak bricfly about the 2000 Census. My name is Opal Jones. As
an American citizen, a minority person in particular, and a governmental employee, | grapple with the
disproportionate impact of census undercounts. However, my appearance here today is as a private
citizen. My specific comments will be limited to a review of the breadth of the undercount, the need
for more aggressive outreach efforts, the recommended use of statistical sampling, and the need for
adequate funding.

I is critical that you zealously evaluate, in an apolitical manner, what impedes an accurate census
count, Based upon that evaluation, the Census Bureau should adopt a non-traditional approach to
this constitutionally proscribed process. The goal should be to move away from what is currently
allowed or what has historically been done — especially ifit did not work. Efforts should be toward:
techniques that would meet the constitution’s mandate and ways to provide for as accurate a census
count as possible,

Onc enumeration technique previously used was the cross-referencing of records in certain databases
— Internal Revenue Service, drivers licenses, or things of that sort. Surely, some of these sources
are better than others. Yet, none of these sources is independently accurate. For example, in 1990
administrative records for parolees and probationers were used to add 447,000 people to the census
rocords. Only to discover later that 60 percent of thosc additions were wrong. So the caveat is that
cross-referencing as a technique may be helpful in the checks and balances process, but itis not the
most reliable option for initial counts.

According to the Census Bureau's own review, the 1990 undercount was estimated at about 4 million
people or between 1.8 to 2.1 percent overall. However, for minorities the estimated undercount was
much higher — Blacks 5.1 percent: Asians 3.2 percent: Hispanics 5.5 percent: and Native Americans
5.3 percent, Indecd Florida had the fourth highest undercount in the nation, the 1990 Census missed
258,900 people: 133,998 of which were children.

Although the only constitutional mandate for the census is to apportion the United States House of
Representatives, there are other growing political economic consequences which result from the
census count. Thus, the differential undercount has and can have far-reaching and long-term
disparate impact on minorities. In other words, the ability to miscount millions of certain people has
had a devastatingly adverse effect not only on the electoral empowerment of minority voters, but a

Page 1


83

region. This would follow the Cuban, Central American and Haitian examples.

The rapidity of demographic shifts in Miami-Dade county presents a clear challenge for
the 2000 census, Immigrants, fleeing political repression and violence at home, have an almost
inherent distrust of the government, Moreover, many of the new arrivals are transients living in
temporary accommodations often with family and friends. Miami’s proximity to the political
turmoil of the Caribbean also presents a unique challenge as the region remains vulnerable to &
major immigration crisis. It is important to remember that the area has experienced massive
influxes five times in the last forty years: 1959-1962, 1967, 1980, 1984, and 1994

‘Another impediment to an accurate enumeration of the 2000 census closely dovetails the
first problem, a large percentage of Dade's immigrant populations are elderly. Hispanic in
Dade's county have an older median age that other Hispanic groups. According to the 1990
census almost 15 percent of Dade County's Hispanic population is more than 65 years of age.
Nearly 50,000 elderly Hispanics speak only Spanish. This isolated population has also been
traumatized by the vote fraud scandals that have plagued the city of Miami during the past year,
Some elderly voters have had their signature on absentee ballots and petition questions by local
law enforcement. The action of a small number of unscrupulous politicians has soured the
relations between some elderly immigrants and the government. Needless to say some elderly
immigrants in Miami will be apprehensive about answering government census questions.

The final factor creating problem for the 2000 census is the pervasiveness of poverty in
South Florida. The city of Miami, despite its reputation for glitz, is the fourth poorest
municipality in the United States, while two other small cities in the county, Opa Locka and

Florida City, also ranked among the poorest in America. The Miami-Dade metropolitan area as a


‘We are here in Miami today, to full the Subcommittee on the Census’ ongoing oversight
responsibility of the 2000 Census. Back in September, at a hearing in Washington, 1 made
it clear that the subcommittee would begin a program to reach out to those communities
that were undercounted in the 1990 Census.// This hearing is the genesis of that
commitment, ‘The purpose of this hearing and the ones to be held over the next six
‘months is to give community-based stakeholders an opportunity to give testimony on
community-based approaches that they think will be belpful in enumerating their residents.
W

‘Today we are focusing on a better count for Miami.///

‘This is not a hearing to debate the use of sampling in the 2000 Census/ In fact, I believe
most of the people who will testify, and probebly most of the people in this room favor
sampling //

We could spend this afternoon debating the sampling issue, But that would be a terrible
waste. I'm not here to convince you that sampling is bad, and itis highty unlikely that you
‘will convince me that sampling is good,

However, that does not mean that we don't have common ground. We do. That common
‘ground is to find a way to improve a basic enumeration.

‘That is of paramount importance, because no matter how we conduct the census, whether
‘we use sampling or not, we must have a good accurate base coum,

| think that there is a fundamental misunderstanding. No method of counting can make up
for people that refuse to be counted, Even in the sampling plan if someone is missed in
the intial census and then missed in the post census or ICM they will be missed altogether.
If people hide from census enumerators that will make it more difBcult for either type of
census to be successful.

‘We are bere today to find out why people hide from eumerators? Why do people not
return their forms’? Why do people distrust the government? And, how can we change
these tendencies. How can we do a better job counting.

am also very interested to see what the local government representatives think about the
‘Cengus Bureau's plans not to have Post Census Local Review in the 2000 Census./!/
‘Something that they did have in 1990,

‘We are here in Miami today, because the witnesses we will hear from know their
respective communities best./ You know best why some people in your communities may
rot want to be counted / You know best what Congress and the Census Bureau can do to
‘build a sense of trust that is lacking in 30 many areas of interaction between goverament
and the people ///


i

Chairman Miller and Members,

Thank you for the opportunity to present these prepared remarks
tegarding the upcoming year 2000 census for the consideration of those
Officials present today as we prepare for the year 2000 census.

if | may be permitted to provide you with some brief background
information. My name is Kee Juen Eng and | am a member of the South
Florida Asian American community. | am a first generation Chinese
American and native Floridian. | am privileged to serve as the president of
the Asian American Federation of Florida. | have previously served as
President of the Organization of Chinese Americans, South Florida chapter
and the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Florida and as Vice-
President of the Chinese American Benevolent Association. | also am a
member of the Florida State Advisory Committee to the United States
Commission on Civil Rights, staff liaison from the City of Hollywood to the
Asian American Advisory Council of the City of Hollywood and a former
member of the Broward County Multiethnic Advisory Board. Presently, | am
employed by the City of Hollywood, Florida in its Office of Management and
Budget.

| have taken the opportunity to appear before you today to reiterate
the importance of the upcoming census to the residents of South Florida be
they members of the Asian American community or any other community of
South Florida. 1 would also like to express my views as a Chinese
American regarding certain issues related to the year 2000 census.
Speaking from the perspective of the Asian American community, | am
aware of the efforts of several local Asian American organizations who are
becoming more and more involved in the need to educate our community
about the census process and encourage community member participation.
However, without a coordinated, sustained effort from the Congress, all
interested community based organizations and governmental agencies
involved in the census process, | am concerned that my community risks
being seriously undercounted again.

As several experts have noted in writing about the census, two
developments have increased the importance of the census to the various
communities across the United States. First, the Voting Rights Act of 1965
and subsequent court decisions interpreting provisions of this Act have
used census data as the means of implementing the court fashioned


81

Testimony of Dario Moreno
Associate Professor of Political Science
Florida International University

Miami-Dade County represents a microcosm of the daunting task faced by the United
States Census Bureau in arriving at an accurate count of the U.S. population for the 2000 census
Miami is truly “the city of the future” in that it often among the first metropolitan areas in the
United States to confront the problems created by rapid urban growth, poverty, and growing
immigration. The crises that Miami face today are the urban problems of tomorrow for Atlanta,
Chicago, and Phoenix. The lessons leamed from the Miami case will help the committee in
developing a series of recommendations for arriving at a more precise enumeration of the
populations living in America’s rapidly changing urban areas. Miami teaches that there are no
simple formulae for resolving the momentum task of census-taking in complex urban areas
Statistical models, which may or may not be marginally more accurate that direct enumeration,
seem fraught with the danger of politicalization, Instead, the census bureau should work in close
Partnership with agencies that are serving large number of both our poorest citizens and new
immigrants.

‘Miami-Dade’s population, ike most major urban areas, was undercounted in the 1990
Census. Miami-Dade officals estimate that 70,000 individuals were not counted. ‘There

are three reasons for the 1990 undercount which remain as major obstacles for achieving. an

accurate count of the Miami-Dade population in the 2000 Census. The first is the demographic

revolution that is a result of rapid immigration. No other major metropolitan area in the United


107

Mr. STOKESBERRY. Well, this event today is certainly a good
jumping off place to do that. And I think that as a result, people
are being sensitized, we are getting a head start, it is not even
1999 yet and here we are already talking about the 2000 census.
But it is that key, and it is hiring early and it is putting that ad-
vertising, not with the best known world advertising agency, but
using some of our local advertising agencies who understand the
differences, the very subtle differences. I, as an Anglo male in this
community, do not even pretend to understand the subtleties of the
Hispanic/Latino community. I am still learning. I am 63 years old
and I am still learning that a word, a Hispanic word, in one dialect,
if pronounced slightly wrong could get you shot in the neighbor-
hood right across the street. You know, so I am talking street sur-
vival here.

But I want my colleagues to add to that. We can do it, we know
how to reach those people. We need the resources and we need the
will of the Congress to help us.

Mrs. MALONEY. Would any other people like to comment?

Ms. JONES. Let me take another shot at this. Let me add, first
of all, you have a street level implementation problem. He just said
hire early—I do not think you just hire early, you hire correctly
also. And I will give you a perfect example. I am here as a private
citizen, but I am in my normal job currently chief of staff to one
of the County commissioners. In June of this year, we dumped our
data base in the matter of 2 hours and gave it to the Census Office
in Hialeah. It was not open in Hialeah, but we gave it to the per-
son pho contacted us, because they wanted to do community out-
reach.

I went on leave, came back 3 months later, I ran into this guy
and he said to me, I need to get with your office to get your names
of your people. And I said wait a minute, I gave you that back in
June. So my issue is we are dumping out data base and providing
information, but on the street level, the people that are implement-
ing—not the policymakers—but the day-to-day operators need to
make sure that there is followup and follow-through. And I think
sometimes between policy and implementation, there is the gap.
And I think that is part of your problem here in Dade County.

Mr. Moreno. I think Congresswoman Meek’s suggestion of a
summit on the census is the next step for the people here in Dade
County. I think as you all have your own process at the national
level, if we are going to do it right here, I think that the leadership
that the Congresswoman has shown in bringing you all down here,
she will show again in calling a community summit in which the
networks of community-based organizations will be invited. And
the Congresswoman and her two colleagues, Lincoln Diaz-Balart
and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, are people who are extremely well at-
tuned to the different subtleties of this community.

Mr. MILLER. You are next. Does someone else have one more
comment?

Mrs. MALONEY. She has a comment on this.

Mr. MILLER. Well, then I am going to call on her. Your time is
up.


92

calls on you the leaders, and us, the people, to reassess America’s social, economic, and
political conditions, A common ground must be sought and can be found to make this

process fair for all. i

Dear Chairman Miller, and Ranking Member Maloney, and every congressional member
here present, you have the ability to make the new century and new millenium an exciting
period for the marginalized, the powerless, and the poor.

With Best Regards,

Jean-Robert Lafortune, MS
jirman

no,



60

dential structures. These records may also be useful as a check on
the number of people in a given area. And sometimes you will have
a very small apartment and you will have 12-13 people in that
apartment. And that would be one way to pick that up.

No. 3, continue to offer the census forms in languages other than
English and mail these on the first mailing to areas where a lan-
guage other than English is the dominant language. We speak in
this community 152 different languages. Now I do not say they are
all that heavy, but there are some predominant languages that
could be used on the census form and would be very beneficial.

No. 4, send followup enumerators more frequently and at varied
times of the day to households that do not initially respond. I think
particularly some areas should be targeted. Make sure that these
enumerators can converse in the predominant language of the
neighborhood, which would be one reason to contract with organi-
zations, whether Haitian, other organizations that can provide
some expertise. And there are some outstanding organizations
available in this community.

And last, continue to work closely with local governments. And
we will work as closely as you would like, and I am sure the State
would as well, in updating the master address lists up to the last
possible date before the mailing of the census forms. In rapidly
growing communities like Miami-Dade, the census address lists
will almost always lag behind the completion of new residential
units and subdivisions. Local governments know where the new
units are being completed. Use locally generated maps of new sub-
divisions where possible.

irman Miller and Representative Maloney and our own hon-
orable Carrie Meek, we are delighted that you are here. Thank you
for allowing us to make this presentation.

Mr. MILLER. Thank you very much. Thank all four of you all for
being here today and your input and recommendations and
thoughts concerning the 2000 census.

I think we all agree, including my fellow Members of Congress
here, that really we have a great challenge ahead of us. We recog-
nize there was an undercount, we recognize there was an
undercount for the State of Florida, but also very specifically here
in Dade County. And we want to do everything we can to achieve
the best census possible and the most accurate numbers possible
that are also, of course, legal and constitutional.

As I said at the beginning, I was not really going to spend a lot
of time debating the issue o! sampling. I would be glad to if we had
time, but I do not think that is the purpose of this or the best use
we can make of our time here today. As a former statistics profes-
sor, I am very familiar with the issue. A week ago Monday, Con-
gresswoman Maloney and some of us were at the Supreme Court
where they debated the issue with our U.S. Supreme Court. Six
Federal judges have already looked at the issue. Six Federal judges
ruled unanimously it is illegal. So, you know, the courts are going
to have obviously a say in this and. so we need to be prepared to
do the best census possible.

Even if we use sampling, we still need to get the best counts we
can. We cannot just say well, we will just skip all the homeless and
will not count them and just let sampling adjust. We cannot, we


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18

native Census Methods wrote, “Differential undercount cannot be
reduced to acceptable levels at acceptable costs without the use of
integrated coverage measurement and the statistical methods asso-
ciated with it.”

In 1995, the Panel on Census Requirements in the Year 2000
and Beyond in a report requested by Congress and the Bush ad-
ministration wrote,

It is fruitless to continue trying to count every last person with traditional census
methods of physical enumeration. Simply providing additional funds to enable the
Census Bureau to carry out the 2000 census using traditional methods will not lead
to improved coverage or data quality.

In 1997, the second Panel to Evaluate Alternative Census Meth-
odologies, after reviewing the Census Bureau’s Specific Design for
2000 concluded, “There is no reasonable fall-back position for the
2000 census. We do not believe that a census of acceptable accuracy
and cost is possible without the use of sampling procedures for both
Nonresponse Follow-Up and Integrated Coverage Measurement.”

Mr. Chairman, the burden of proof is not on statistical methods,
because virtually all knowledgeable experts have concluded that
without these modern techniques, the differential undercount will
persist, no matter how much money we spend. And these experts

ve applauded the improvements in sampling methods developed
by the Bureau since 1990. The real burden of proof is on those who
want us to take the 1990 census, including the 10 percent miscount
and skyrocketing costs all over again. We do not want to repeat the
mistakes of the past.

Today we will hear from witnesses who will discuss how commu-
nities can help the census effort. This is a critical part of every cen-
sus. However, promotion and outreach will not solve the problems
of an undercount which is much larger in poor and minority com-
munities than in the rest of the country. Remember, 70 percent of
those missed in the 1990 census were missed within households
that were counted.

What promotion and outreach can do is make the census an easi-
er task for every household. In 1970 nearly 80 percent of those
mailed questionnaires returned it by mail. The experts predict that
in 2000 that rate could fall to less than 60 percent. It costs about
$2 to count a household by mail and it costs between $25 and $50
to send a census taker to collect the information, and then the in-
formation collected is not as accurate.

The Census Bureau needs everyone’s help to complete what is an
unbelievably difficult task. I look forward to today’s testimony and
1 hope we can provide the Census Bureau with some very useful
ideas.

Again, I think Chairman Miller and Carrie Meek for hosting this
meeting today and all of the icipants.

[The prepared statement of Hon. Carolyn B. Maloney follows:}



47

census. The record of the past, however, gives no grounds for confidence that the 2000 Census
will be any more accurate than the 1990 or the 1980 efforts. In fact, increased immigration and
rising economic distress suggest that the 2000 Census will result in a greater undercount in
Miami-Dade unless changes are made in the way the census is conducted. For these reasons,
Mayor Penelas has created the Census 2000 Complete Count Committee and is working with
ocal Census Bureau staff on this effort. Also, the Mayor has taken a strong position in favor of

scientific sampling and other statistical methods. As you know, from three National Academy of
‘Sciences panels, to the Committee on National Statistics, there is virtual unanimous agreement
among experts: for a successful census that includes everyone, we need to use statistical
techniques such as sampling. The people at the Census Bureau have been counting Americans
for over 200 years--experts from across the globe visit them to study the way they do it--we must
let the Bureau conduct the 2000 Census using the methods they rely on to achieve a full and
successful count.

At this time, I would like to make some recommendations designed to improve the accuracy of
the traditional census. Some of these may have been adopted already by the Census Bureau, but
may be capable of further expansion or application at the local level.

1. Expand the marketing of the census by involving and contracting with local firms, churches,
and other groups with demonstrated expertise in reaching targeted populations and hard-to-count
groups.

2. Make greater use of current administrative records such as drivers’ licenses, school enrollment
records, real property records, and vital statistics to determine the existence of additional
addresses, especially informal'housing units, and housing in nonresidential structures. These
records may also be useful as a check on the number of people in a given area,

3. Continue to offer the census forms in languages other than English and mail these on the first
mailing to areas where a language other than English is the dominant language. Work with local
governments and others to determine these areas.

4, Send follow-up enumerators more frequently and at more varied times-of-day to households
that do not initially respond. Make sure that these enumerators can converse in the predominant
language of the neighborhood in which they are working.

5. Continue to work closely with local governments in updating the master-address lists up to the
last possible date before the mailing of census forms. in rapidly growing communities like
Miami-Dade, the census address lists will almost always lag behind the completion of new
residential units and subdivisions. Local governments know where the new units are being
completed. Use locally generated maps of new subdivisions where possible.

Even with the full implementation of these suggestions a significant undercount seems likely.
Nationally, decreasing survey response rates and increasing cynicism toward government will
likely result in returns of poorer quality from the 2000 Census. The time needed to physically
reach every household, the financial resources required, and the trained staff needed for this


51

that will provide the city of Miami and other areas with a proper
and fair count of all of its residents and we heartily endorse this
approach.
you again for the opportunity to address you today.
Mr. MILLER. Mr. Stierheim.
[The prepared statement of Ms. Mallette follows:]


80

among the 10 poorest large urban areas in the United States. So
this city in many ways is a microcosm, is an experiment of some
of the problems of rapid growth, immigration and poverty.

How can we move to get a more accurate count? I think the Cen-
sus Bureau can mitigate some of the obstacles to an accurate cen-
sus by working in partnership with the very well developed net-
work of community-based organizations that operate in Miami-
Dade County. The 2000 census can reach out to newly arrived im-
migrants, elderly immigrants, and the poor by utilizing already ex-
isting programs. You do not have to reinvent the wheel.

Just to give you an example, both One Nation, Inc. and the Coa-
lition of Florida Farm Workers are striving under the new law
NACARAA and the new Haitian Refugee Act which Congress-
woman Meek cosponsored, helping Central Americans and Haitians
adjust their legal status in the United States to become permanent
residents. These were formerly illegal aliens, were counted as ille-
gal aliens. So the Census Bureau can work with these organiza-
tions to reach out to those poor.

The Census Bureau can also reach out to newly arrived immi-
grants by working with Catholic Charities and the Cuban-Amer-
ican Council, which provides an array of housing, employment
placement, education services for poor, newly arrived immigrants.
Other groups like the Little Havana Activity Center which provides
English classes, medical assistance and meal services for elderly
immigrants can also be utilized.

Also, the Census Bureau has to take seriously a public education
program. And this is not on, you know, TV stations that no one
watches. It has to invest money in advertising, not only in English,
but in Spanish and in Creole; not only in the Miami Herald, but
in community-based newspapers. It has to reach out to the people
who have been historically undercounted.

I think that to get an accurate count there are no magic bullets,
there are no simple solutions. It takes a smorgasbord approach.
Also, we have to realize that all communities are different. To get
an accurate count in Miami-Dade, you have to accept the diversity
of this community and how to make that diversity work for you.

Thank you.

Mr. MILLER. Thank you very much.

Ms. Bastien.

[The prepared statement of Dr. Moreno follows:]


142

Ms. Margolis
December 22, 1998
Page 2

Census Bureau. Would you please describe what the Committee is doing to address the
undercount issue?

5. If the undercount is eliminated, or at least significantly reduced, for the State of Florida in
the 2000 Census, do you know if Florida would gain more seats in the U.S. House of
Representatives? What would be the impact of more accurate numbers on the State
legislature?

6. The Census Bureau is making a major effort to hire people from welfare to work on the
2000 census. Unfortunately, in some states, taking a temporary position with the Census
Bureau can cost an employee certain benefits such as health care. In addition, these
workers, once the temporary employment ends, have to wait up to six months for their
benefits to be reinstated. Could you explain Florida's welfare laws with regard to
temporary employment?

Please forward your responses to the Subcommittee at B-350 Rayburn House Office Building by

close of business January 11, 1999. My questions and your answers will be part of the official

record of the December 10, 1998 hearing. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle
Ash at (202) 225-5420. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and assistance.

Sincerely,

Vi t Kit

cc: The Honorable Dan Miller
‘Chairman, Subcommittee on the Census


135

Mr. John Stokesbury
Page 2

B. What expectations has the Census Bureau set for the Committee? Specifically,
what expectations were set regarding staffing, funding, and outreach activities?

C. In your opinion, are the Census Bureau's expectations reasonable/achievable? If
not, how would you change them?

D. What more can the Census Bureau do to facilitate the outreach effort in Miami,
Dade County, and Florida?

4. You urged Congress to approve legislation introduced by Representative Meck that
‘would waive certain income limits for recipients of federal benefits who serve in
temporary positions during the census. What effect would passage of this legislation
have on the Census Bureau’s recruiting effort in the Miami-Dade County area?

Please forward your responses to the Subcommittee at B-350 Rayburn House Office Building by
close of business January 11, 199. My questions and your answers will be part of the official
record of the December 10, 1998, hearing. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle
Ash at (202) 225-5420. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and assistance.

Sincerely,

Gackt aty

cc: The Honorable Dan Miller
‘Chairman, Subcommittee on the Census


13

‘Page Six
Letter to House Census Subcommittee
December 8, 1998

‘Angel Larus,

(Chaicperson
‘Miami-Dade County Hispanic Affairs
Advicory Beard

‘Venghan (Winnie) Tang,
President

‘Adore Obi Nweze
Presideat

National Association for the Advancement
ef Colored People (NAACP) Miami-Dade

‘Monica Russo
‘Executive Director

Organization of Chinese Americans, Inc. Unite for Dignity

~ Seuth Florida

T. Wiliard Fair
President and CEO

‘Urban League of Grester Miami


187

Ms. Lynn Summers
December 1998
Page 2

April 3 and April 5, 2000. The Census Bureau
advocacy groups, and community-based organizations.

AL ‘Do you think that two days is enough time to obtain an accurate count of the
homeless living in Dade County?

sites identified by local officials,

B. How helpful has the information collected on the homeless in the 1990 census
been to local government and community service organizations in planning and
providing services to the homeless?

C. If you were an advisor to the Census Bureau, what suggestions would give the
‘Census Bureau to assure an accurate count of the homeless, not only here in Dade
County, but across the country? What specific ideas do you have for improving
hhow the homeless get counted?

5. An important part of the Census Bureau’s outreach/promotion efforts for the 2000 Census
are the Complete Count Committees established by local governments. The Census
Bureau expects the committees to form subcommittees to reach traditionally
undercounted groups; sponsor promotional events; and obtain local media coverage.
During the dress rehearsals, GAO consistently heard from local officials associated with
the Committees that they lacked the human and financial resources to promote the census.

A. We heard today that a Complete Count Committee was created for Miami, Has a
‘Complete Count Committee been created for Dade County?

B. _ What expectations has the Census Bureau set for the Committee? Specifically,
what expectations were set regarding staffing, funding, and outreach activities?

C. In your opinion, are the Census Bureau's expectations reasonable/achievable? If
‘not, how would you change them?

D. What more can the Census Bureau do to facilitate the outreach effort in Miami,
Dade County, and Florida?

Please forward your responses to the Subcommittee at B-350 Rayburn House Office Building by
close of business January 11, 1999. My questions and your answers will be part of the official


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2

One of the interesting highlights of that trip yesterday is when
we were stopped at the County Center and they had a math bowl
taking place among Title I fourth graders. I saved the test and I
am going to give it to my staff and see how well they can do with
a fourth grade math test, when we get back to Washington.

I have had an opportunity to travel around the country in my ca-
pacity as a Member of Congress, and although the specific needs
of people vary depending on where you are, there is always the re-
curring theme, people care about what their government is doing.
Your constituents, Mrs. Meek, are no different. I found them very
well informed and they had some very good ideas and a real com-
mitment on how to improve their lives and the lives of the people
in their community. You have some fine constituents, Carrie, and
I hope we can continue to work together in the future, as we have
in the past, and provide the resources that they need.

Let me be clear as we begin this hearing, everyone gathered here
today has the same goal. We all believe it is paramount that every-
one is counted in the 2000 census. We all want the most accurate
census possible. The census is important because it is the fun-
damental building block of our representative government, from
local school board and city council members to State legislators and
Members of Congress. The census is the DNA of our democracy. It
is critical that we count as many people as possible.

We are in Miami today to fulfill the Subcommittee on the Cen-
sus’ ongoing oversight responsibility of the 2000 census. Back in
September, at a hearing in Washington, I made it clear that the
subcommittee would begin a program to reach out to those commu-
nities that were undercounted in the 1990 census. This hearing is
the genesis of that commitment. The purpose of this hearing and
the ones to be held over the next 6 months is to give community-
based stakeholders an opportunity to give testimony on commu-
nity-based approaches that they think will be helpful in enumerat-
ing their residents. Your input can help the 2000 census the most
accurate ever. Today we are focusing on a better count for Miami.

This is not a hearing to debate the use of sampling in the 2000
census. In fact, I believe most of the people who will testify, and
probably most of the people in this room favor sampling. We could
spend this afternoon debating the sampling issue, but that would
be a terrible waste. I am not here to convince you that sampling
is bad, and it is highly unlikely that you will convince me that
sampling is good. However, that does not mean that we do not have
common ground. We do. That common ground is to find the best
way to improve a basic enumeration. That is of paramount impor-
tance, because no matter how we conduct the census, whether we
use sampling or not, we must have a good accurate base count.

I think that there is a fundamental misunderstanding, no meth-
od of counting can make up for people that refuse to be counted.
Even in the sampling plan, if someone is missed in the initial cen-
sus and then missed.in the post census or ICM, they will be missed
altogether. If people hide from census enumerators, that will make
it more difficult for either type of census to be successful.

We are here today to find out why people hide from enumerators.
Why do people not return their forms? Why do people distrust the


12

My testimony today will focus on only one segment of the population to
be counted - the elderly. It is my sincere hope that all of us gathered today are
dedicated to the same goal regardless of political affiliation, ethnic or cultural
heritage, or status and station in the community. That goal must be a fair and
accurate census for all America. As accurate as humanly possible and modern
science and technology can provide.

You are all too familiar with the well documented causes of historical
undercounting. Illiteracy, apathy, indifference, lack of information, language
barriers, and transiency. Problems which have always faced the census bureau
and which disproportionately affect the poor, ethnic minorities, people of color,
and those living in urban areas. But generally speaking, these undercounted
populations are usually unconcerned with whether they are counted or not.
South Florida, as much or more than any other area in this country, suffers a
different challenge - that of fear. Unfortunately, South Florida is home to tens
of thousands of residents who not only don’t care if they aren’t counted or
naturally shy away from government intervention into their lives, but who will
actively attempt to elude and hide from the census or will lie and deceive the
enumerators when contacted personally. You have heard some of the reasons.
Their families and loved ones were tortured and killed by the government in
their country of origin. They fear loss of their freedom, deportation, loss of their
children, possible criminal charges because they are violating zoning and
housing laws and regulations, and the fears go on. But they must be counted.
They reside in our community and use our resources.

~ Our elders are no different. Some of them also hide or are hidden by
others for a variety of reasons. Let me put a face on some of these problems you
may not be aware of.

* Two older individuals who are not married and living together. They do
not want to disclose they are living together; therefore, one will remain
uncounted.

*  Anelder who has immigrated to this country and lives in an apartment

2


27

Mrs. MEEK. Thank you.

Mr. MILLER. Your testimony and everybody's testimony will be
entered in the official record. So all the panelists today will be
asked to submit their testimony and they may either read their
testimony or may paraphrase it, as they desire.

[The prepared statement of Hon. Carrie P. Meek follows:]


70

eral benefits who serve in tempo! positions during the census,
and we urge Congress to approve this legislation as soon as pos-
sible.

Finally, it should be obvious by now that because a significant
number of south Floridians will not allow themselves to be counted,
improvements in current counting methodologies and even more re-
fined techniques of recruiting, hiring and training enumerators will
still leave unacceptably high numbers of south Floridians un-
counted. Therefore, the Alliance for Aging, on behalf of the agi
network, strongly endorses the statistical sampling methodology
and urges Congress to drop their objections to this very sophisti-
cated approach of ensuring a fair and accurate count of all resi-
dents of our great Nation in the year 2000 census.

you for your kind attention. I will be glad to answer any
questions at the appropriate time.

Mr. MILLER. Thank you.

Ms. Jones.

[The prepared statement of Mr. Stokesberry follows:]


146

‘Mr. Mark Schlakman
December 22, 1998
Page 2

Bureau can cost an employee certain benefits such as health care. In addition, these
workers, once the temporary employment ends, have to wait up to six months for their
benefits to be reinstated. Could you explain Florida’s welfare laws with regard to
temporary employment?

5. You stated that undocumented aliens are historically one of the most difficult groups to
count. No matter how much we emphasize the confidentiality of census information, this
‘group will probably continue to avoid all contact with government officials. Do you have
an estimate of the number of undocumented aliens currently living in Florida?

6. —_Atthe hearing, you indicated that you would ask Governor-elect Bush for his opinion on
the use of statistical methods to help correct the persistent, differentially high, undercount
of racial minorities in Florida -- Hispanics, African-Americans and American Indians.
Have you done so and what is that opinion?

Please forward your responses to the Subcommittee at B-350 Raybum House Office Building by

close of business January 11, 1999. My questions and your answers will be part of the official

record of the December 10, 1998, hearing. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle
Ash at (202) 225-5420. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and assistance.

Sincerely,

[wht ky

Carolyn B. Maloney
Ranking Minority Member
Subcommittee on the Census

ce: The Honorable Dan Miller
‘Chairman, Subcommittee on the Census


63

was an address problem. We have spent an extra $100 million
working on it right now and my understanding is they are working
in the rural areas, moving into the urban areas the first of the year
and giving communities a chance to get involved in the address list
development at this early stage. In fact, one comment, we are
spending $1 billion this current fiscal year getting ready for the
2000 census. It is an expensive undertaking—$1 billion. In fact, we
added $175 million more than the President requested in his origi-
nal budget request to prepare for this, and he has since of course
asked for all this additional money to prepare for it. A lot of it is
to go for more community outreach.

ne comment that you mentioned is greater use of administra-
tive records. For some reason, the Census Bureau is reluctant to
use them. They say they are going to do some tests this time
around and maybe in 2010—I just feel, for example, the WIC pro-
gram,.which is a program that really, as you know, addresses the
newborn children and pregnant mothers, the very poorest. So it is
a program that addresses those that are really undercounted.
Those are the type records that we have access to and we should
find a better way to make use of it. So I am a little disappointed
they are not moving more in that direction.

‘ou mentioned the English language, I think they are going to
make multiple languages and I think addressing this language
issue is going to be a real challenge. I know we have someone from
the Haitian community coming up later and we can talk about that
issue.

I think my time is up and we are going to try to stay on time
because we do need to adjourn in order to stay on schedule.

Congresswoman Maloney.

Mrs. MALONEY. First, Mr. Chairman, I would like to respond to
your earlier statement on the Federal courts. Two Federal courts
did rule against sampling for purposes of apportionment among the
States. Three other courts though have ruled in favor of sampling.

And it is interesting that you continue to bring up the Milwau-
kee example that cost thousands of dollars and added very little to
the count. The statement that you made that approximately half of
the census undercount is attributable to missed housing units is
false. It is an inaccuracy that has been pointed out to the majority
over and over again. The drafters of the National Academy of
Science’s report admits that those numbers refer to the 1980 cen-
sus, not the 1990 census. The majority knows the report is wron;
on this issue, but they choose to quote it for their own political
agenda.

The correct fact is that approximately 70 percent of those missed.
in 1990 were in households that were enumerated; that is, com-
plete enumeration of households, not missed households.

But since our time is limited, I wanted to ask a question of all
of you and ask you to just give me a show of hands. How many
of you support the use of modern scientific methods in the census
to correct the undercount?

[Show of hands.]

Mrs. MALONEY. All four of you. Well, we are doing pretty well
here. Given all that you know about this issue and the effective-
ness of all the coverage improvement programs that you have dis-


20

First, whether or not statistical methods are used, there must be an accurate
address list. The Bureau cannot meet that goal without the help of local governments.
In 1992 Congress passed legislation to give local governments access to the Census
Bureau's list of addresses for their community. It was our hope that if the Census
Bureau and local governments could agree on the addresses to be counted, most of
the controversy we saw during local review following the 1990 census could be
avoided

Second, whether or not statistical methods are used, there must be a large
advertising and promotion program. The Bureau cannot do that without advice from
community leaders on the kinds of messages that will convince people to participate.
They also can use advice on the best vehicle for those messages. Tailoring the
advertising campaign to local communities cannot be done without community
involvement

Third, whether or not statistical methods are used, the Census Bureau must
recruit and hire hundreds of thousands of temporary workers. It cannot do that without
referrals from individuals in all economic sectors who can identify potential applicants.

Fourth, whether or not statistical methods are used, there must be language
assistance guides and questionnaire assistance centers to help people — particularly
those with limited English skills — to understand and fil out their forms. The Census
Bureau cannot do that without help from community leaders in identifying the best
locations for assistance centers and volunteers to help staff these activities.

{tis important to remember that under the Census Bureau's plan for 2000,
statistical methods will NOT take the place of an aggressive direct counting effort
aimed at ALL households in every community. tt will merely SUPPLEMENT those
counting operations and serve as a quality-check.

It takes only a simple look back to understand the future. The census has a past
that it cannot escape. A census that only relies on so-called traditional counting
methods is guaranteed to fail. It is that simple. Virtually every independent expert
review of the census process has concluded that without scientific statistical methods
to augment direct mail and door-to-door efforts, the 2000 census will not be any better
than 1990, More pointedly, these experts concluded that the highly disproportionate
undercount of minorities will not be reduced without statistical methods, and in fact may
be worse.


37

Women and children in hiding from an abusive spouse may be
omitted entirely.

Undocumented non-U.S. citizens who are in fear of government
knowledge of their presence typically will not open the door to a
census taker, much less be forthcoming about family composition—
a problem that has dogged Florida and high impact States for
years in the past.

These are not new concerns. Since the last count, Governor
Chiles has frequently voiced his concerns about the validity of the
1990 census data and the corresponding need for statistical adjust-
ments to correct for the miscount. In a 1992 bipartisan effort to de-
liver a better, more accurate product, Florida’s congressional dele-
gation signed a joint letter supporting a statistical adjustment to
the 1990 census. I am submitting a copy of that letter so that it
may be included in the record of today’s proceeding, if you have no
object, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. MILLER. Without objection, we will include that as part of
your testimony.

Mr. SCHLAKMAN. Thank you, sir.

The logic behind the position articulated in that letter is still
compelling today—the most accurate means must be used to ensure
that U.S. taxpayer funds are distributed equitably.

For many years, Florida has been in the unenviable position of
being a donor State for the U.S. Treasury. We have far too often
received fewer tax dollars from the Federal Government than we
have contributed to Federal coffers. It is long past time for Florida
to receive its fair share.

In 1992, GAO calculated that in Medicaid, Federal highway
funds and social services block grant programs alone, Florida
would have gained millions of dollars in additional Federal funding
each year if adjusted census figures had been used. According to
the GAO, that relates to 3 out of more than 100 Federal programs
that use population data as a basis to allocate revenue.

Therefore, our primary concerns are focused upon the results of
the census, not necessarily upon the methodology employed to con-
duct it. If we could be assured that an actual enumeration, relying
upon methods similar to those employed during the 1990 census,
would now provide the most accurate results, we would have no
quarrel with those methods. However, our experience in 1990 clear-
ly indicates otherwise.

States like Florida suffer from higher error rates than others
when direct counts are determinative. These problems are exacer-
bated further for growth States—again, like Florida. It would be
unfortunate at best for Congress to perpetuate for yet another dec-
ade the fundamental unfairness of a significantly flawed count.

In closing, Governor Chiles in 1992 called for “nothing more than
fairness, nothing less than accuracy” as he advocated for the use
of statistically adjusted figures to more fairly distribute Federal
funds. He said, “It just adds insult to injury when the fourth larg-
est State in the country . . . is knowingly treated unfairly. As far
as I am concerned, not using the updated numbers amounts to
grand theft.”


57

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" q3AF1 ALWZAOd MOSS SNOS¥3d


23

well as an adult person. The Constitution requires that everyone
be counted. Please be sure that the children are counted.

Mr. Chairman, I want to enter into the record a document from
the Leadership Council on Civil Rights that shows in terms of their
Education Fund the specific undercount for Florida. With your per-
mission, I would like to do that, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. MILLER. Without objection, it will be included.

[The information referred to follows:]


144

Hoporable Carolyn B. Maloney
January 12, 199
Page 2

With regards to your question on whether elimination of the undercount will impact the
‘number of seats Florida gains, both the Florida Office of Economic and Demographic
Research and the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries have done work on
reapportionment issues. According to staff of these offices, although it is hard to predict
exactly, and not knowing the population of the other 50 states which has to be factored
into the 2000 apportionment, Florida would likcly gain one, possibly two congressional
seats (assuming a two percent undercount). Additional information requests may be
directed to Mr. John Guthrie, Staff Director. Senate Committee on Regulated Industries
at (850) 487-5957.

{In response to your question about Florida's welfare laws, the statute docs not make any
particular reference to working in a temporary position. However, a temporary position
is considered an “accountable” work activity and therefore, the regulations for benefits
continue to apply. Being in an accountable work activity allows transitional
‘transportation assistance, childcare, and medical care for a period of one year. In
contrast, the level of food stamps benefits would be based on the houschold income.
Finally, there is no waiting period for benefits to be reinstated once the worker is no
Jonger employed, as long as the maximum time limit to roccive benefits has not been
reached. In Florida the time limit is forty-eight months.

| hope this information is helpful. Should you have any further questions, please do not
hesitate to contact me.

‘Chairperson, Board of County Commissioners


90

efforts so that minorities can be better represented in the next cen-
sus. Let census 2000 be a fair and true count for all.

Thank you.

Mr. MILLER. Thank you very much.

Ms. Summers.

{The prepared statement of Ms. Bastien follows:]


44

Ms. MARGOLIS. Good afternoon. Let me start by welcoming you
to Dade County. I am now the chairman of this august body, the
County Commission of Miami-Dade County, and on behalf of Alex
Penelas, we are really delighted that you chose our community to
be the first in several hearings that you are going to have around
the country.

We probably have a very compelling story to tell, so I will start
and tell my story.

We are home to more than 2 million residents and it is the most
diverse major metropolitan area in the country. When I say 2 mil-
lion people, to put it in perspective, it is larger in population than
16 States in this country—it is very significant.

More than half of the population is of Hispanic origin and more
than a fifth is black. A large number of the black population is
from Haiti and other Caribbean islands. Because of this unique
population mix, I can think of no better place to start these hear-
inj

gs.

In Florida, more than any other State, there is a need for a full
and fair count. We live in a State that has been constantly under-
counted. Florida alone had a net undercount of close to 260,000
people in 1990, over 70,000 of them came from Dade County, or an
estimated 3.7 percent of the resident population. Dade County’s
undercount was substantially higher than both the net national
undercount of 1.6 and the net undercount for the State of Florida
of 1.9. Children, the poor, African Americans, Hispanics were
missed more often than any. For example, over 6,000 children were
missed in the city of Miami, one of our largest municipalities, and
part of Congressperson Meek’s district. All four congressional dis-
tricts in Miami-Dade County ranked in the 50 districts in which in
1990 there was a population undercount.

Florida’s continuing growth really requires that we do a lot bet-
ter in the year 2000. From 1990 to 1997, we estimate that we have
had a 20 percent increase in population in Florida. In the same pe-
riod, Dade County had the fhe largest gain among all counties in
Hispanic population and certainly an amazing amount of growth in
the black population.

We recognize that you have a great challenge in front of you and
applaud the Bureau’s assessment of what has worked in the past
and what did not work in 1990 and its proposal to reduce the
undercount in the year 2000.

In the written testimony that was submitted, I believe by our
mayor, we list five recommendations designed to improve the accu-
racy of the census. Some of them might have been adopted by the
Bureau, but we certainly encourage you to look at the written sub-
mission.

We urge you to consider the recommendations and instead of
going in detail into the recommendations, I want to emphasize that
the record of the past gives us no grounds of confidence that in the
year 2000 the census will be any more accurate than 1990 or 1980
or 1970. In fact, the increased immigration and the rising economic
distress within our communities kind of tell us that the undercount
could possibly be larger unless we do something about it.

yr these reasons, Mayor Penelas has created a panel of local
residents that really have dedicated themselves to making sure


85

The census bureau, however, can mitigate some of the obstacles to an accurate census by
‘working in partnership with the network of Community Base Organizations that operate in Miami-
Dade County. The 2000 census can reach out to newly arrived immigrants, elderly immigrants,
and the poor by utilizing already existing community programs. For example, both One Nation,
Inc, and Coalition of Florida Farm-workers are striving to adjust the legal status of Central
‘Americans and Haitians living in Miami-Dade County. Congressional legislation on Haitian
refugees and the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act (NACARAA) now
permits a majority of the 175,000 illegal immigrants in Dade County to legalize their status. The
Census Bureau should initiate an outreach program with these organizations to assure that these
newly legalized individuals participate in the census,

‘The Census Bureau can also reach out too newly arrived immigrants by working with
Catholic Charities and the Cuban-American Council, The first stop for needy immigrants is often
these two organizations which provide, housing, employment placement, and education for the
poor. A partnership arrangement with these charities would dramatically increase the capacity of
Census Bureau to accurately count new immigrants. Elderly immigrants are also serviced by a
powerful network of local community-based organizations. The Little Havana Activities Center
provides meal services, medical assistance, English Classes, and other activities for more than
‘twenty-five hundred elderly immigrants a day. Av outreach program with Little Havana will be
critical to counting the non-English speaking elderly in Miami-Dade.

‘The census also needs a partnership with state and local government. Mayor Alex Penelas,
the mayor of Miami-Dade County, established a local committee than will work to create a better

count of county citizens, The Census 2000 Complete Count Committee will work with the bureau


62

cetera. I think we could really organize a very, very positive—and
I know I would be speaking—I do not mean to step in front of my
chairperson here, Senator Margolis, but I think I know Mayor
Penelas, Mayor Carollo and our other elected officials would really
be very aggressive, as would I.

Mr. MILLER. So you think you will be prepared to—

Mr. STIERHEIM. Yes.

Mr. MILLER [continuing]. Use your community resources as best
you can. Senator Margolis.

Ms. MARGOLIS. Since I represent about half of the cities in the
metropolitan area—the older cities, we have been around for
awhile—I think that through each city commission—and most of
the growth is happening in unincorporated Dade County, not in the
old municipalities, but certainly we can identify for the Bureau all
of the new construction that has happened since the 1990 census.
We can certainly get the cooperation of all of our cities I am sure
that would gladly participate and understand that we all benefit
from the proper kind of count.

Since so much of my district personally is incorporated, I cer-
tainly would volunteer to activate all of the cities within my dis-
trict.

Mr. STIERHEIM. If I can add a footnote. I am reminded that
Mayor Penelas on Monday announced the creation of a public count
committee, an all-inclusive effort. So the Mayor is already ahead of
us and I think maybe that is evidence of our commitment to work
with the appropriate officials.

Mr. MILLER. Very good. Mr. Schlakman.

Mr. SCHLAKMAN. Yes, Mr. Chairman. We have an opportunity
and a challenge which is clear.

Recently we had to work very closely, and should work very
closely with the cities and counties throughout the State in terms
of dealing with other issues that are hinging upon accurate counts.
For instance, moving through the welfare reform process and the
restoration of certain benefits. We had to work very closely and
carefully with the cities and counties and any related organizations
representing those cities and counties throughout the entire State.

So I think whatever we do—and certainly Miami-Dade County
has the resources and the commitment to move forward on this
issue, as was just evidenced—we will all need to work together.
And I think notwithstanding an imminent transition from Gov-
ernor Chiles to Governor-elect Bush, this is an issue that could be
framed as nonpartisan and should be framed as nonpartisan. So we
certainly intend to pursue it in that fashion.

Mr. MILLER. Ms. Mallette, as far as the city

Ms. MALLETTE. I am just going to kind of echo what the county
manager said, in that what the city can do is we can really pour
on the resources that we have, like different civic groups, commu-
nity groups, plus the resources that we have within the city, to
make sure that we find those people that are difficult to find. And
we can target those areas where some people will be harder to find
than others and really concentrate on those areas that have been
undercounted in the past, and assist in those efforts.

Mr. MILLER. One thing that is going on right now with the Cen-
sus Bureau is the address lists. I mean half the problem in 1990


86

to canvass neighborhoods and raise awareness about the 10-year count of Americans, Other key
state and local agencies include the county's Homeless Trust, Miami’s Office of Workforce
Devélopment and the Florida Department of Children and Family Services.

Finally, the Census Bureau need to engage in a massive foreign-language public education
program, The bureau needs to take advantage of Miami's extensive network of Spanish and
Creole radio stations, community newspapers, and TV to educate the public on the importance of
the census. The bureau needs to reassure the public that information obtained by the census will
not be shared with other federal agencies, to alleviate the fears of those who legal status remains
ambiguous.

‘The 2000 Census in Miami-Dade County will not be able to count every single person in
this complex urban area., It will be less than perfect whatever methodology is used. However, a
partnership with Miami's powerful network of Community based organizations and a serious tri-
lingual public education program should go a long way toward reducing the 1990 undercount. A
census taking program that takes into account the unique qualities of South Florida will be a

marked improvement from the 1990 effort.


121

Congresswoman Meck
December 1998

Page 2

Tunderstand that there is a large homeless community in your district and that recently a
new homeless shelter was built on the South end. Can you tell us what happened the first
day the shelter opened? Is there any realistic way you think the Bureau can count all of
the homeless in your district using what some people call “traditional” methods?

Tunderstand that every day many immigrants come to live in your district. A larger
‘number of these immigrants move into homes with family and friends already living in
your district. These immigrants may or may not have the proper immigration documents.
‘As you stated on many occasions, the Constitution calls on us to count all people, not all
citizens. Do you believe that the so-called “traditional” methods can reach these new
immigrants?

Can you tell us how your district is adversely affected by the differential undercount?
Specifically, are there agencies and organizations in your district which are building
highways, schools, bridges, etc., that you know are not getting the federal dollars that they
deserve?

You have been a leader in Congress trying to ensure that persons receiving food stamps,
welfare benefits, and other types of assistance from the Federal Government are not
penalized in those benefits if they are hired as temporary census workers. Are you
planning to introduce legislation in the 106th Congress on this issue?

Please forward your responses to the Subcommittee at B-350 Raybum House Office Building by
close of business January 11, 1999. My questions and your answers will be part of the official
record of the December 10, 1998, hearing. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle
‘Ash at (202) 225-5420. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and assistance.

ce:

Sincerely,

[wh Blakey

Carolyn B. Maloney
Ranking Minority Member
Subcommittee on the Census

‘The Honorable Dan Miller
Chairman, Subcommittee on the Census


124

fepieeer ‘ome HumoneD TH CONGRESS

— Congress of the United States

Prete House of Representatives
Pa COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REFORM AND OVERSIGHT
= 7157 Ravounn House Orrics Butowe
eer Wasrmaton, DC 20815-6143,
December 22, 1998

Ms. Marleine Bastien

Commission on the Census 2000

Haitian-American Grassroots Coalition

THON.E. 152nd Street
North Miami Beach, FL 33162

Dear Ms. Bastien:

‘Thank you for testifying at our recent field hearing in which we examined the Census Bureau's
plans for the 2000 Census. The testimony you provided was informative and helpful to the
‘Subcommittee’s oversight of the census.

‘As you may recall, during the question and answer period of your panel, you were informed that
‘we may have additional questions to submit for your written response. Accordingly, I request
that you provide written responses to the following questions:

1. The Census Bureau is making an effort to hire people who are part of the group known as
the hardest to enumerate typically Hispanics, Blacks, American Indians, the Homeless,
the Elderly. How can the Census Bureau reach out to those people for employment
purposes, and do the organizations which you represent provide job placement
assistance?

2. Many people in the hardest to enumerate populations have a general distrust of the
Federal Government. Can you suggest ways the Census Bureau can alleviate their fears
and concerns?

3. The Census Bureau enumerators hand out privacy notices when they visit households. Is
that enough?

4, Animportant part of the Census Bureau's outreach/promotion efforts for the 2000 Census
are the Complete Count Committees established by local govemments. The Census
Bureau expects the committees to form subcommittees to reach traditionally
‘undercounted groups; sponsor promotional events; and obtain local media coverage.


31

4

communities get a fair representation of enumerators
who can encourage everyone to participate in the
census effort without intimidating them. In poor or
immigrant communities, strangers—particularly
strangers representing the government--are often
viewed with suspicion. One of the ways to address
this problem is to hire census enumerators who live
in the neighborhoods in which they are working.

To support this effort, I introduced a bill which
makes sure that if you receive welfare benefits, food
stamps, housing or health care assistance, and you
want to get a part time job as a census enumerator,
that additional income will not cause you to lose your
benefits.

My bill, HR 776 introduced in the House in
February, 1997, now has 60 co-sponsors. I am
grateful for Chairman Miller’s support for my bill.

T have done other things to support a successful
census effort for next April. Bearing in mind that for
the first time, there will be a paid advertising
campaign for the 2000 census, I have supported
efforts to make sure that minority contractors get a
percentage of the multi-million dollar contracts
handed out by the Census Bureau.


7

Mrs. MALONEY. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

Before I begin my prepared statement, I wanted to briefly com-
ment on reports that this—and you mentioned it, Mr. Chairman—
that this subcommittee will be abolished in the next Congress and
the jurisdiction over the census moved to the House ersight
Committee. It is a curious time to be abolishing the Census Sub-
committee as we move forward to the 2000 census and I strongly
oppose such a move and believe the Democratic leadership will as
well. Oversight of how the 2000 census is conducted should not be
the responsibility of a committee stacked with Republicans and
with a fiercely partisan history. This issue should not be vested in
an administrative committee of the House which has no oversight
of other executive branch organizations, and the census most cer-
tainly should not be within the jurisdiction of a committee which
has managed to severely antagonize the Hispanic and Latino com-
munity with the Loretta Sanchez oversight of her election that was
conducted in this committee.

We need to work together in good faith to make sure that the
2000 census is as fair and accurate as it can be. I must say that
I believe Chairman Miller has tried to do that. Dan, since this may
be our last hearing together, I really want to say for the record and
say publicly that it has been a great pleasure working with you.
While we have not always disagreed—or agreed, we have not
agreed much more often than we have disagreed on the issues, but
I do think you want the 2000 census to succeed. You have always
been fair and listened to the minority and I deeply appreciate it on
behalf of my Democratic colleagues.

Also, Mr. Chairman—and I know this hearing is not about sam-
pling, but we have received a letter from organizations and elected
officials in the Miami area calling upon Congress to drop its objec-
tions to sampling. I would like to have this letter included in the
record. Clearly these groups do not believe that direct counting
methods alone can solve the undercount problem despite the ex-
-traordinary efforts that will be made throughout the Miami area.

I was also impressed with the incredibly diverse nature of the or-
ganizations that signed this letter. Representatives of African
Americans, Hispanics, Haitians, children, elderly, homeless and the
list goes on and on. So I would like to ask that this letter that is
addressed to both of us that talks about the undercount in Miami
be put in the record.

Mr. MILLER. Without objection.

[The information referred to follows:]


139

r

=e na
== Congress of the United States =a
fore a Hoowse of Representatives =

i
r
i

COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REFORM AN OVERSIGHT

=a 2157 Raroumn Hovat Orne Bonnie Sa
San Wasimaron, OC 20616-6143 a
December 22, 1998

Ms, Kelly C. Malletie, Policy Advisor
Office of Mayor Joe Carollo

3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133

Dear Ms. Mallette:
‘Thank you for testifying at our recent field hearing in which we examined the Census Bureau's

plans for the 2000 Census. The testimony you provided was informative and helpful to the
‘Subcommittee's oversight of the census.

As you may recall, during the question and answer period of your panel, you were informed that
‘we may have additional questions to submit for your written response. Accordingly, I request
that you provide written responses to the following questions:

1. Has your jurisdiction appropriated any money, or does it have any plans to appropriate
‘money, to supplement the Census Bureau's efforts during the 2000 Census?

2. Ifthe undercount is eliminated, or at least significantly reduced, for the State of Florida in
the 2000 Census, do you know if Florida would gain more seats in the U.S. House of
Representatives? What would be the impact of more accurate numbers on the State

pslature?

3. The Census Bureau is making a major effort to hire people from welfare to work on the
2000 census. Unfortunately, in some states, taking a temporary position with the Census
‘Bureau can cost an employee certain benefits such as health care. In addition, these
workers, once the temporary employment ends, have to wait up to six months for their
benefits to be reinstated. Could you explain Florida's welfare laws with regard to
temporary employment?

Please forward your responses to the Subcommittee at B-350 Raybum House Office Building by
close of business January 11, 1999. My questions and your answers will be part of the official

ft


/

ui

SSS" Congress of the Gniten states pee.

Mr, Merrett R. Stietheim

‘County Manager
Stephen P. Clark Center
Miami, FL 33128

‘Thank you for testifying at our recent field hearing in which we examined the Census Bureau's
plans for the 2000 Census. The testimony you provided was informative and helpful to the
‘Subcommitice’s oversight of the census,

‘As you may recall, during the question and answer period of your panel, you were informed that
we may have additional questions to submit for your written response. Accordingly, I request
that you provide written responses to the following questions:

1. Ef the undercount is eliminated, or at least significantly reduced, for the State of Florida in
the 2000 Census, do you know if Florida would gain more seats in the U.S. House of
Representatives? What would be the impact of more accurate numbers on the State
legislature?

2. The Census Bureau is making a major effort to hire people from welfare to work on the
2000 census. Unfortunately, in some states, taking a temporary position with the Census’
benefits to be reinstated. Could you explain Florida’s welfare laws with regard to
temporary employment?

Please forward your responses to the Subcommitice at B-350 Rayburn House Office Building by
close of business January 11, 1999. My questions and your answers will be part of the official



46

Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight
‘Subcommittee on the Census

Miami-Dade County Field Hearing
December 10, 1998

Testimony of
Senator Gwen Margolis
Chairperson
Miami-Dade County
Board of County Commissioners

On behalf of Mayor Alex Penelas, who could not be with us today, I welcome all of you to
Miami-Dade County, home to more than 2 million residents and one of the most diverse major
‘metropolitan areas in the United States. More than half of the population of Miami-Dade is of
Hispanic origin and more than one-fifth are Black. A large number of the Black population is
from Haiti and from other islands in the Caribbean, About half of the total population was bom
in another country, many in former British, Spanish, and French colonies that bring with them
their languages and the richness of their diverse cultural traditions. Here in Miami-Dade,
nonHispanic Whites, the majority of the United States population, constitute a small minority.

Because of this unique population mix, I can think of no more appropriate place to begin your
field hearings on ways to improve the 2000 Census. Here in Miami-Dade County you will see
first-hand the full range of challenges faced by Census enumerators as they try to make a
complete count of all of our residents, the rich and the poor, the old-timers and the newly arrived,
citizen and noncitizen alike. This is a community that has been consistently undercounted in the
past. In the 1990 census an estimated 3.7 percent of the resident population was missed. This
represents over 70,000 persons who were excluded. All four Congressional Districts in
Miami-Dade ranked among the top 50 districts in which the 1990 population was undercounted.
In the 2000 Census we must do a better job. Fundamental fairness requires that all persons be
accounted for. Communities, like Miami-Dade, with large numbers of minorities, poor people,
‘and recent immigrants should not be penalized just because these people are harder to reach than
other Americans. We cannot continue to be shortchanged, as we have been for the past decade,
of the federal dollars we rightly deserve and need.

We recognize the tremendous challenges faced by the Census Bureau and their highly skilled
staff in conducting the 2000 Census. We understand that in the real world a completely accurate
count is not possible. We therefore applaud the Bureau's rigorously scientific approach to
‘measuring the undercount, their thorough assessment of what worked and what did not work in
1990, and their carefully considered proposals to reduce the undercount in the forthcoming


Miami is the first, but certainty not the last field hearing// Although field hearings are
very difficult to plan, I think they are very, very useful. I hope we can have further field
hearings in Phoenix and L.A., New York City and Atlanta and other cities should time
allow. Congress is committed to conducting a legal, accurate and trustworthy census.///

‘As many of you know there have been significant changes in the House of
Represeatatives. Most significantly, we have a new Speaker, Mr. Livingston. //

As with any change in leadership there are also changes in the structure of the House of
Representatives. Mr. Livingston has decided to move the jurisdiction of the 2000 Census
to the another committee. It will now fall under the House Oversight Committee. //

As far as the public is concerned you should not see any significant changes if you detect
‘any changes at all,

As far as myself and Ms. Maloney are concerned there will no longer be a specific
subcommittee in name under the new structure, House Oversight is a unique committee in
the House in that it has very few Members so subcormmittees are not practical, the full
committee will now serve the role that the subcommittee played before. I still plan to be
the leader on this issue for the Congress and I hope Ms. Maloney will retain her role as the
leader for the Democrats. //

‘I'm excited to be here today. This is a wonderful turnout and it's just what we wanted.
[Regardless of the type of Census that Congress and the Courts determine the Census
‘Bureau can conduct, we are going to have to work together.

u“

I look forward to hearing from the witnesses and having the opportunity to ask questions.
Thank yu al for coming snd now TecogaizeCoogresrwoman Caria Maloney Bom
_New York and the Ranking Member.


40

Almost 5% of Florida’s children simply did not exist as far as the federal census was
concerned,

Part of the answer, but only a part of the answer, must be to require the Bureau of the
Census to reach out to Florida’s diverse communities when developing plans and hiring
staff for the count. Community leadership teams and Bureau staff should reflect the
communities that are to be counted, and must be keenly aware of the communities that
are historically less likely to respond to forms distributed by mail.

Public awareness campaigns must involve minority and multilingual media outlets,
community newspapers, the internet, billboards, churches and other resources to enhance
traditional and more conventional efforts to notify the public.

But publicity and outreach, even good publicity and outreach, are necessary but are not
sufficient. The results from the 1990 census were flawed despite various efforts to
contact these communities. More than 8 million people were missed nationwide. Even
if the promotional efforts are enhanced, history indicates that heavy reliance upon a direct
count would be misplaced, We must guard against making the same mistakes again. For
example:

* Children living in foster care who are not counted by either their parents or their
caretaker are not likely to be counted notwithstanding an outreach campaign, no matter
how well conceived.

+ Women and their children in hiding from an abusive spouse may be omitted
entirely.

* Undocumented non-U.S. citizens who are in fear of government knowledge of
their presence typically will not open the door to a census-taker, much less be
forthcoming about family composition,

‘These are not new concems. Since the last count, Governor Chiles has frequently voiced
his concerns about the validity of the 1990 census data and the corresponding need for
statistical adjustments to correct for the miscount. In a 1992 bipartisan effort to deliver a
better, more accurate product, Florida’s Congressional Delegation signed a joint letter
supporting a statistical adjustment to the 1990 census. 1 am submitting a copy of that
letter so that it may be included in the record of today’s proceedings. The logic behind
the position articulated in that letter is still compelling ~- the most accurate means must
bbe used to ensure that U.S. taxpayer funds are distributed equitably.

For many years, Florida has been in the unenviable position of being a donor state for the
U.S. Treasury. We have far too often received fewer tax dollars from the federal
government than we have contributed to federal coffers. It is long past time for Florida
to receive its fair share.


i
i

120

ka lenin
= cn anonen PT Conon =
= Congress of the United States aaa
House of Representatives SS
‘COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REFORM AND OVERSIGHT lo
2157 Ravounn House Orr Buna aa,
WaswnaTon, DC 20515-6143 irr
December 22, 1998
‘Congresswoman Carrie Meek
USS. House of Representatives
‘Washington, DC 205)5.
Dear C< fan Meck: (/ otqste

‘Thank you for testifying at our recent field hearing in which we examined the Census Bureau's
plans for the 2000 Census. The testimony you provided was informative and helpful to the
‘Subcommittee’s oversight of the census.

‘As you may recall, during the question and answer period of your panel, you were informed that
‘we may have questions to submit for your written response. Accordingly, I request that you
provide written responses to the following questions:

1, During your testimony, you proposed a number of questions to the Census Bureau. I
‘would like you to give us your answers to those same questions. With regard to
climinating or at least reducing the undercount, isthe use of statistical methods known as
sampling the most accurate methodology the Bureau can use in order to get an accurate
count of the hardest-to-reach populations in our country?

2. On the issue of race and ethnicity, in 2000, the Bureau intends to retain existing
classifications, but it will no longer limit respondents to identifying only one racial
category. Will this approach dilute the reported totals for specific minority groups and
will that dilution have a disparate impact on black Americans?

3. As you know, 70 percent of those missed in the 1990 census were in households that were
enumerated. The Bureau has redesigned the shor form to make it more
friendly. However, we have heard concems that some questions on the short form ‘si
‘may prevent respondents from answering questions accurately. For example, some
people do not want to state that they are living as an unmarried couple. Can you
comment on whether you have any such concems? Will this “new” form ensure an
accurate count?


19

14th District « New Yo

Congresswoman
Carolyn Maloney
Reports

1330 Longworth Building * Washington, DC 20515 * 202-225-7944
1651 Third Avenue * Suite 311 * New York, NY 10128 * 212-860-0608

- STATEMENT OF CAROLYN B. MALONEY
RANKING MINORITY MEMBER
SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE CENSUS

December 10, 1998

Mr. Chairman, | want to thank you for holding this hearing. | also want to thank
‘Congresswoman Carrie Meek for hosting our Subcommittee as we grapple with the
setious problems of the census undercount. Representative Meek and her constituents
can offer detailed insight for improving the census count in Miami by drawing on their
familiarity with Miami and its surroundings. Miami is one of the most diverse cities in
‘our nation and it has one of the largest immigrant populations in our country, Reaching
all of populations in Miami is key to a successful Census 2000,

| know that we are going to be hearing from a number of government
representatives; however, | am particularly pleased, Mr. Chairman, that you have
begun to reach out to those groups with traditionally hard-to-count populations. | am
alsa.please that this is the first in a series of hearings where we are going to hear from
stakeholders in local communities.

| would like to welcome today’s witnesses, and thank each of you for taking the
time to testify today. Each of you has responsibilities that consume your days, and |
‘suspect most of you wrote your testimony last weekend. | appreciate the effort you
have made to be here today, and | look forward to hearing your comments.

There are a number of components to a successful census that have nothing to
do with the debate over the use of scientific methods that has been dominating
discussions in Washington.


14

Mrs. MALoney. And I would like to really underscore—the record
talks about the many things that they will be doing in this area
to improve and to make the census accurate. I would just like to
underscore this one paragraph.

Therefore, we call upon Congress to drop its objections to the use of sampling and
other statistical methods. Instead, we respectfully encourage Congress to work with
the Census Bureau to build public confidence in the 2000 census plan and to ensure
that the Bureau has sufficient financial resources to prepare for and conduct the
best census possible.

As I said, the executive director from the Alliance for Aging; the
American Association of University Women for Miami; the Chil-
dren’s Services Council of Miami, Dade; Florida Immigrant Advo-
cacy Center; Greater Miami Chapter of American Civil Liberties
Union. The list goes on and on and I am glad that you will allow
this to be in the record.

I also would like to request that put in the record is an editorial
today in the Miami Herald entitled, “Counting on a True Count.”

Mr. MILLER. Without objection.

[The information referred to follows:]


3

government? And how can we change these tendencies? How can
we do a better job?

I am also very interested to see what the local government rep-
resentatives think about the Census Bureau’s plans not to have a
post census local review in 2000, something that they did have in

We are here in Miami today because the witnesses we will hear
from know their respective communities best. You know best why
some people in your communities may be not want to be counted.
You know best what Congress and the Census Bureau can do to
build a sense of trust that is lacking in so many areas of inter-
action between government and the people.

Miami is the first, but certainly not the last field hearing. Al-
though field hearings are very difficult to plan, I think it will be
very, very useful. hope we can have further field hearings in
Phoenix and L.A., New York City, Atlanta and other cities, should
time allow. Congress is committed to conducting a legal, accurate
and trustworthy census.

As many of you know, there have been significant changes in the
House of Representatives, Most significantly, we have a new
Speaker in Washington, Bob Livingston. As with any change in
leadership, there are also changes in the structure of the House of
Representatives. Mr. Livingston has decided to move the jurisdic-
tion of the census to another committee. It will now fall under the
House Oversight Committee. As far as the public is concerned, you
should not see any significant changes, if you detect any changes
at all.

As far as myself and Mrs. Maloney are concerned, there will no
longer be a specific subcommittee in name under the new struc-
ture. House Oversight is a unique committee in the House in that
there are very few members, so subcommittees are not practical.
The full committee will now serve that role. I still plan to be the
leader on this issue for the Congress and I hope Mrs. Maloney will
continue her role as the leader for the Democrats.

I am excited to be here today. This is a wonderful turnout to see
here today. Regardless of the type census that Congress and the
courts determine the Census Bureau can conduct, we are going to
have to work together.

I look forward to hearing from the witnesses and having the op-

tunity to ask questions. Thank you all for coming. I now would
like to recognize Carolyn Maloney from New York, the ranking
member for an opening statement.

{The prepared statement of Hon. Dan Miller follows:]


182

Dr. Dario Moreno
December 1998
Page 2

Bureau expects the committees to form subcommittees to reach traditionally
tundercounted groups, sponsor promotional events, and obtain local media coverage
During the dress rehearsals, GAO consistently heard from local officials associated with
the Committees that they lacked the human and financial resources to promote the census.

‘A. We heard today that a Complete Count Committee was created for Miami, Has a
Complete Count Committee been created for Dade County?

B. What expectations has the Census Bureau set for the Committee? Specifically,
what expectations were set regarding staffing, funding, and outreach activities?

C. _ Inyour opinion, are the Census Bureau's expectations reasonable/achievable? If
not, how would you change them?

D. What more can the Census Bureau do to facilitate the outreach effort in Miami,
Dade County, and Florida?

5. In your written testimony, you mentioned your concems with a 10 percent statistical
sampling. Although I agree with you that the Bureau should be sensitive to the needs of
non-English speakers, I want to ensure that you understand the Census Bureau's plan.
‘The Census Bureau intends to mail census forms to all known households. The Bureau
will then do a door-to-door enumeration of nonresponding households (those which do
‘not return the form by mail) ensuring that it has responses from 90 percent of all known
houscholds. The remaining ten percent of households then will be estimated based on the
90 percent number. Are you aware that the Bureau is doing a 90 percent sample, not a 10

percent sample?

Please forward your responses to the Subcommittee at B-350 Raybum House Office Building by
close of business January 11, 1999. My questions and your answers will be part of the official "


110

Cami} lus House Ines)

12/10/98 :

Census Field Hearing {

US Rep. Dan Miller =
'

Remarks of Dale A. Simpson
* Camillus House
Miami, Florida

‘The counting of the homeless is a very important issue for the census. This group of families and

individuals is already vjewed as the most disposable group in our society To do anything less
than an accurate count of the homeless would constimute abandonment. Ignoring « half million
homeless citizens would be no different from telling on¢ of our smaller states that they would not
be counted this time because they were in a difficult location to count. An accurate count will
bring the magnitude of this vital social issue into focus to that we as communities and a country
can make plans based in fact for the solution of this problem.

‘The method of count is‘critical in as much as the homeless tend to be undercounted, Much of the
homeless is hidden in their efforts to find safe shelter. While a head count seems to be the most
direct approach, there yould need to be many teams trained to seek out the homeless. A
scientific sampling mefhod may be bettar able to overcome these inherent difficulties among the
homeless and produce a more accurate census.


69

not care that they are not counted or naturally shy away from gov-
ernmental intervention into their lives, but who will actively at-
tempt to elude and hide from the census, or will lie and deceive the
enumerators when contacted personally. You have heard some of
the reasons. Their families and loved ones were tortured and killed
by the government in their country of origin. They fear loss of their
freedom, deportation, loss of their children and possible criminal
charges because they are violating zoning and housing laws and
regulations, and the fears go on and on. But Mr. Chairman, and
members of the el, they must be counted. They reside in our
community and they use our resources.

Our elders are no different. Some of them also hide or are hidden
by others for a variety of reasons. Let me put a face on some of
these problems that you may not be aware of.

Two older individuals who are not married, but living together.
They do not want to disclose that they are living together; there-
fore, one will remain uncounted.

An elder who has immigrated to this country and lives in an
apartment with restrictions on the number of persons allowed to
reside in that apartment. This individual may also have family
members or relations who may be undocumented and therefore
fears any government questionnaire. In this case, the entire house-
hold may refuse to respond.

Elders who live in small efficiencies attached to a house. These
rental units are usually constructed without a license or permit
and may not have a mailing address. What occurs is, individuals
residing in these places do not get a census questionnaire, and if
an enumerator does go to the main house, they are never told
about the rental unit attached for fear of penalty.

Elders living in unlicensed adult living facilities, as we call them
here ALFs, may be undercounted because owners of such facilities
may not want to disclose that they are currently operating an unli-
censed facility and thus violating the law.

Elders living in trailers and/or trailer parks —which there are a
disproportionately high number of in south Florida—may never get
a census form, and when an enumerator is sent, that enumerator
may not be able to gain access to these individuals. This also hap-
pens because of fear and a sense of close-knit community.

Now in closing, let me offer some suggestions. The Census Bu-
reau is sensitive to the need for recruiting enumerators to work in
the communities where they live. The wisdom of this approach is
widely recognized, and the Bureau is to be congratulated for their
outreach efforts thus far. I personally have already been contacted
by a member of the Census Bureau who asked to work with me to
locate low income and retired elderly so that they could be inter-
viewed and employed as enumerators. And this, by the way, has
already begun in their field offices here in Miami. However, re-
cruiting low-income and retired elders to work part time is made
difficult because of current limits on earned income, as Carrie
Meek has already so eloquently described, and those receiving So-
cial Security benefits and military Federal pensions might lose a
portion of their monthly payments if they temporarily work. You

ve already heard that Representative Meek has introduced Jegis-
lation that would waive certain income limits for recipients of Fed-


24

wmemngwontenion® CensusPOOO
evergone counts!

ucef
FLORIDA

The failure of the 1990 census to accurately count Florida's population seriously
shortchanged the federal funding Florida ought to have received during the past decade.
In effect, Florida was required to utilize funds for schools, roads, health facilities, housing,
and other important services for people that were not counted by the census. Below are
the numbers of people missed in Florida by the 1990 census.

State Net Undercount 259,829
Net Undercount of Children 134,477
Net Undercount of Whites 165,860

Net Undercount of Blacks 73,478

Net Undercount of Asian and Pacific Islanders 2,880

Net Undercount of American Indian/Alaska Native 1,039
Net Undercount of Hispanic Origin (of any race) 87.938

WORKING TO ENSURE A FAIR AND ACCURATE CENSUS

The Leadership Conference Education Fund is working to ensure that Census 2000 is the
most accurate census possible using the best, most up-to-date scientific methods as
recommended by the National Academy of Sciences.

THERE IS A NEED FOR A FULL AND FAIR COUNT IN 2000

According to the Census Bureau, the 1990 census missed 8.4 million people and
double-counted 4.4 million others. While missing or miscounting so many people is a
problem, the fact that certain groups (such as children, the poor, people of color, city
dwellers and people who live in rural rental homes) were missed more often than others
made the undercount even more inaccurate and unfair.

IN FLORIDA ALONE, THE 1990 NET UNDERCOUNT WAS 259,829 PEOPLE

Like the national results, a disproportionate number of Florida residents missed were
minorities - 4.00% of Blacks were missed; 1.80% of Asians were missed; 5.30% of Latinos
and persons of Hispanic origin were missed; and 2.70% of Native Americans were missed.

Major Cities Net Undercount Undercount Rate (%)

Fort Lauderdale 3,310 2.17

Hialeah 9,444 4.78

Hollywood 1,766 1.43

Jacksonville 14,207 2.19

Miami 18,831 4.99

Orlando 4,567 27

St. Petersburg. 3,520 1.45,

Tallahassee 3,061 24

Tampa 7,430 2.59

Leodership Conference Eduction Fund 1520 K Sree omc rg
Soe 1030 702 466 34344

‘Washington B.C. 20008, 202 466.3498 fox


143

Blamed of County Comerissionens
METROPOLITAN DADE COUNTY-FLORIDA

SENATOR GWEN MARGOUS
January 12, 1999

Honorable Carolya B. Maloney
Ranking Minority Member

House Subcommitice on the Census
2157 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515

‘Dear Congresswoman Maloney:

“Thank you for holding a field baring of the Subcommittee on the Census in Miami-Dade
‘County and for providing me the opportunity to testify of behalf of the Board of County
‘Commissioners. Below are responses to your written questions.

No cash appropriation was sct aside in the County FY98-99 budget. However, Miami-
Dade County is currently planning to provide a number of in-kind services in support of
the 2000 Census, including but not limited to: office space for two Census Bureau
cemployces, the use of communication equipment, and the availablity of county meeting
rooms for Block Canvassing Training.

Its estimated that the federal belp for Miami-Dade County is undercut by about $2.2
million per year as a result of undercounting the number of residents in the arca. The
figure is based on funds that come directly to county agencies on an estimate of $32 of
federal help per person, per year. Furthermore, as ccasus information is updated on a ten-
yyear cycle, the overall impact may be as high as $22 million on that ten-year cycle.
‘These estimates do not include the impact federal assistance that is received as pass-
through the State of Florida, nor docs it reflect moneys received by the Dade County
Public School System, and Miami-Dade County municipalities.

For the 1990 Census, the population distribution was as follows: 369,621 Black, 953,407
Hispanic, 585,607 White and 28,459 Other. The most recent population estimate (as of
April, 1997, Bureau of Economic and Business Research, University of Florida) is
distributed as follows: 426,000 Black, 1,124,000 Hispanic and 520,000 White.

‘The Miami-Dade County Complcte Count Committee will have its first mecting January
21. Mayor Penclas welcomes the challenge of creating an environment in our comeunity
where the Consus Bureau can get the best count possible. It is the Mayor's intention to
work closely with the Census Bureau so that all Miami-Dade resideats are made aware of
the importance of an accurate count and are comfortable interacting with Bureau
employees and volunteers.


10

Page Three.
‘Letter to House Census Subcommittee
December 8, 1998

))
omummny Saneas car sombioes Easing on dee coment sooo ae
importance of census participation is a difficult task thet cannot be accomplished overnighe.
” For the 1990 census, many organizations did not receive educations! materials until tate in
1989. We are emcious to assist the Borex in promoting the census through the many civic
and cultural networks thet permeate our neighborhoods in unique ways but we must have
adequate information and mufficient time to do 60,

Mr, Chairman and Ma. Ranking Member, we are grateful for this opportunity to discuss ways to
improve the census process in comsemunities that have proved difficolt to count in the past. There are
sway activities that must be done well end on tine ia order to lay a sod foundation for « successfial
count In adition to those already meationed, an accurate adress lst compiled withthe help oflocal

fe participate
‘those households thet do not respond during the meil phase of the count.

‘However, we also have taken to heart the conchusion reached by virtually all experts who heve closely
studied the census process: direct cousting methods alone do not have the copecty to improve
accuracy or reduce the difirential undercount of children, people of color and the urbea sad rural
poor. Bartler in the decade, a National Academy of Scicaces panel convened at the direction of
(Congress found that "physical eouneration .. hes boca pushed well beyoad the point st which t adds
to the overall accuracy of the census. Moreover, such traditions! consus methods stil result in «
substantial undercount of minority populations."

‘This pened conchaded that tho Census Bureau could “improve the eccucacy ofthe cenmss count... by
supplementing a redoced iatensity of traditioasl eumeration with statistical extimeten" More
recently, in 1997, another Academy panel stated: "[Wye do not believe that « ceasus of eccoptable
‘sccunncy aad cost is possible without the use of sampling procedures, for both noaresponse Sillow-
up and integrated coverage measurement,” the two primary uses of sampling thet are pert of tho
‘Bureeu's plan. That same year, the Cosemerce Department's laspoctor General reached « similar
conctasion ia a report to the United States Seaste: “There is 20 evidence to suggest that the
‘underconat in 2000 will be lower then in 1990 without the use of statistical teciquos.”


Ht

unt

141

— =
SS. cosranen erm cores ==.
= Congress of the United States =
= Foouse of Representatives a
= ‘COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REFORM AND OVERSIGHT eS
a 2187 Raveum House Ornce Bunn Sa
eer Wasson, 06 0515-6148 a

|

December 22, 1998

Ms. Gwen Margolis, Chairperson of the Board
Board of County Commissioners

‘Stephen P. Clark Center

LLL N.W, Ust Street, Suite 220 & 320
Miami, FL 33128

Dear Ms. Margolis:

‘Thank you for testifying at our recent field hearing in which we examined the Census Bureau's
plans for the 2000 Census. The testimony you provided was informative and helpful to the
Subcommittee's oversight of the census,

‘As you may recall, during the question and answer period of your panel, you were informed that
‘we may have additional questions to submit for your written response. Accordingly, I request
that you provide written responses to the following questions:

1. Has your jurisdiction appropriated any money, or does it have any plans to appropriate
‘money, to supplement the Census Bureau's efforts during the 2000 Census?

2. In your written statement you state that in 190 over 70,000 Miami-Dade County
residents (3.7 pereent of the County's population) were missed. Can you estimate what
affect the undercount had on federal funding to the city of Miami, Dade County, or
Florida? How much per person in federal money comes to the city of Miami, Dade
County, and Florida?

3. In your written statement you say that more than 2 million peopte live in the Miami-Dade
‘area. What is the current population estimate of the number of Hispanics, Blacks, and
other minorities in Miami, Dade County, and Florida? What was it according to the 90

4, In your statement you say that Mayor Panelas created a Census 2000 Complete Count
‘Committee to address the undercount issue and that the Committee is working with the

a


that’s about the same number of people who live in
the city of Tallahassee. The highest miscalculations
occurred in the Miami-Dade County area. For
Miami, the undercount was 4.99% or 18,831 people.
In Dade county, the 3.69% undercount shows that
74,206 people were missed.

A disproportionate number of those residents not
counted were people of color--4% were African
American, 1.8% were Asian, 5.3% were of Hispanic
origin, and 2.7% were Native American. We can’t
let this happen again.

We can’t let this happen again, because an
accurate census is all about political power and
money--money which should be coming to this state
to improve the quality of life for all of our citizens.

Here is why getting the count right is so
important. Census 2000 will be used to determine
how many seats each state has in the House of
Representatives. Census 2000 will also be used to
draw boundaries for state and local political
districts. Census 2000 will be used as the basis for
allocating billions of dollars each year in Federal
and State funds.

These developments are important to our people


- 98

sampling so that the census can finally look like the “people who live in America as opposed to
the minority that usually gets counted”. Turning the process into a partisan issue will further
alienate the poor, different minority groups, and children from the “American Democracy”.

Conclusion

‘The GOP admits to the chronic problems of differential undercount and promises to use new
techniques in the census 2000 to solve them. However,"these so-called new techniques"have been
used unsucessfuly before. The same groups continue to be undercounted while a small minority is
counted twice, sometimes three times. As we are entering a new millenium, we urge the new
Congress to make Census 2000 a bi-partisan priority. Let us coordinate our efforts so that
minorities can be better represented in the next census. Let Census 2000 be a “fair and true count
for all”


140

Ms. Mallette
December 22, 1998
Page 2

record of the December 10, 1998, hearing. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle
‘Ash at (202) 225-5420, Thank you in advance for your cooperation and assistance.

Sincerely,

[ak 6. Aloka,

‘Carolyn B. Maloney
Ranking Minority Member
Subcommittee on the Census

ec: The Honorable Dan Miller
Chairman, Subcommittee on the Census


91

HAITIAN AMERICAN GRASSROOTS COALITION, INC.
COMMISION ON THE CENSUS 2000

4584 N.E 2 Avenue Miami, Florida 33138
Phone: (305)769-6984 * (308)243-6924 * Fax: (305) 795-1502

Thursday, December 10, 1998

Honorable Dan Miller Honorable Carolyn Maloney
Chairman Ranking Member
Sub-committee on the Census ‘Sub-committee on the Census
1-114 O'Neill House Office Building HI-114 O'Neill House Office
Building Washington D.C 20515 Washington D.C 20815

Dear Honorable Chairman Miller and Ranking Member Maloney:

‘The Haitian-American Grassroots Coalition is community-based organization made up of
13 local organizations in South Florida, and has affiliates in other metropolitan areas like
New York, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Atlanta, On
behalf of those communities, we want to extend you a warm welcome in the Sunshine State.
As many other minorities, the Haitian Americans are very concerned about the lasting
consequences of the census 2000 on our community. This concern has to do with past
experiences with the 1980, and the 1990 census. According to some scholars like Dr. Alex
Stepick of the Florida International University , Haitian-Americans in the State of Florida
undercounted by a percentage of 25% to 50%. An estimate of close to 1.5 million
Haitian-Americans are now living in the United States and most of them have settled in
the South Florida and New York areas.

Nevertheless, with your leadership, and strong community participation, we are confident
that this panel will make the proper decision by setting policies to significantly improve the
accuracy of the upcoming census. Now is the time to correct the inequities of the past. As
America is gearing up and preparing itself for the new millenium, improving the social
conditions of the poor, empowering new minorities with direct representation at the
congressional, state, and county levels can greatly contribute to make America a much
greater nation,

‘The power to make the poor become stakesholders in the public policy making process is in
your hands; the power for our senior citizens to have better access to health care and for
our children to improve their educational opportunities with adequate resources is in your
hands. We are here today to urge you to support the sampling method in the upcoming
census, and to champion this cause as a bi-partisan issue. Every ten years, the Constitution



11

‘Page Four
‘Letter to House Census Subcommittee
December 8, 1998

‘These conclusions are widely shared among expert, independent evaluators who have reviewed the
last cenms. In mid-1992, the U.S. General Accounting Office advised that the 1990 consus
“demonstate{ d] that the American public has grown too diverse and dynamic to be accurately counted
‘solely by the traditional ‘headcount’ approech and that fimdamental changes must be implemented for
‘a successful census in 2000,"

‘This early arsosament belice the charges mado by some critica of moderm scientific methods thet the
Bureay’s plan is nothing more than scheme devised by the Clinton Administration to increase the
count of Amoezicans who might be moro sympathetic to one political party than mother. To the
contrary, there is ample evidence of universal support among experts for fandamental reform of the
conms process even before the current Administration took office, We are grestly concemed that
contioning efforts to peint the 2000 census plen as a partisan schease will further undermine the
lready fragile public trast inthe census process, leding to even lower levels of perticipation and thas
‘a higher undercount. Such an outcome would spell disaster for the residents of Miami and Dade

Cousty.
‘We also are concerned sbout recent soggestions thet the persisteat diferential uadercoust can be

millions of people to the census who were missed by mei or fied follow-up procedures.
“Thocefore, we call upon Congress to drop its objections to the uae of suumpling and other statistical
‘mcthoda. Instead. we reapectfally encourage Congress to work with the Coosa Burees to build

‘public confidence in the 2000 conus ples snd to inaure that the Purser hes sufficient fecal resources
‘to-pmepare for and condact the best consus possible, We know that the Supreme Court is considering
two Cased that sock to ber the use of sampling in counting the

take the most accurate and fair census possible fa 2000, Failure to do #0 would signal an intest on
the part of Congress to accept a ceasus that the experts have already told us will leave out millioos
cf poe peopl xd people of cokor once nun, We Srveaty hope that Congres wil ct comnteennce

Sincerely,


Recommendations
‘Recruitment of Census Takers:

‘The Census Bureau must recruit census takers who not only speak Creole, but who are also
sensitive to the specific needs of the Haitian-American community. It is important that they are

pot only well trained but also able to develop a rapport with the population so as to build the trust
needed to facilitate understanding and foster cooperation. In general, immigrants (especially those
victims of oppression) will trust “their own” and have a general fear of “outsiders”. The Census
‘Takers must characteristically represent the people that they will serve,

Needs of Non-English Speakers
Census materials must be available in languages other than English. Creole and Spanish are the
primary languages of a big portion of the Miami’s population. Consequently, it’s important that
Census applications and guidelines are readily available in these languages. Many will not
welcome visits from Census Takers. However, if transportation services are provided, they will be
willing to go to specific locations to get information and complete the needed applications. This
arrangement can definitely decrease the undercount in the “hard-to-find” population. Outreach
‘workers will also be needed to travel throughout the community and encourage targeted groups
to partake in the census process.

‘Use of Radio and Television Programs as well as Major Haitian Newspapers
As previously stated, the Haitians rely mainly on Creole radio and other television programs for
information. 1t is our recommendation that sufficient funds be allocated to develop extensive
‘education programs to start as early as next year, to educate the community about the importance
ofthe census. Educating the Haitian community about the importance of census participation is
a difficult task which cannot be accomplished overnight. While we are eager to assist the Bureau
jin promoting the census throughout the Haitian community, we, and the media must have
adequate information, and sufficient time and resources to do so.

Specific Classification
‘We are also requesting the inclusion of a specific classification in the census to identify Haitians,
Areview of the Census Bureau’s treatment of Asian Americans indicate that while Asians
‘comprise 4% of the U.S. population, they are included as separate categories in the Census

report. The report identifies Asians and Pacific Islanders which include Chinese, Indians,
Japanese, Koreans, Vietnamese and Philipinos, Futhermore, Americans of European descent have
the opportunity to indicate through the Census report their European ancestry. The census
categories ought to be reflective of the demographic changes which have transformed the U.S.
landscape in the past 30 years.

‘The Scieatific Sampling Method
Miami-Dade County has a tremendous stake in ensuring that the 2000 census is as complete and

fair as possible. The Census Bureau is advocating the use of “sampling” to reduce the “chronic
differential undercount”. The Clinton Administration supports and is advocating the use of


102

Mr. MILLER. Thank you all for your comments. I am especially
interested in those comments which give us ideas and suggestions
of how to address the problems.

I think some people think that sampling is a magic bullet. But
you have got to have a good base count. Mr. Stokesberry, you iden-
tified some of the real problem areas, which I want to talk about
in a minute. But if you do not count undercounted people there, it
does not show up in the ICM later and sampling is never going to
get it. So it is not the magic bullet unless you get a good base
count. So I think people just need to say we have got to get people
out.

I was especially pleased with Ms. Bastien’s comments and sug-
gestions, that is what we are here for, to get ideas and suggestions
and the Haitian community is unique. We do not have a large Hai-
tian community in my hometown of Manatee County, which is only
200 miles from here. And that is what we need, to have the ideas
of how to do that. I am delighted to hear that you are chairperson
of the census issue within the Haitian community.

Ms. BASTIEN. Yes, within the Grassroots Coalition.

Mr. MILLER. How involved is the Haitian community in identify-
ing that problem now? What is your role, what do you plan to be

joing?

Ms. BASTIEN. We are going to be meeting with the community,
we are going to be very active on the Creole radio programs. As you
know, it is a very good source of information for the Haitians. And
we are going to try to reach as many Haitians as possible and get
them involved in the process. But first, they have to understand
the importance of the census. And I think in 1990, right after many
of them arrived, you know, there was a large up who came
around that time. I do not think they were knowledgeable enough
about the census and why it was so important for them to partici-
pate.

Mr. MILLER. Several of you mentioned there is a fear factor and,
you know, we recognize that because of coming from a country that
may have had a dictatorial environment, a government they were
afraid of.

And you mentioned it too, Mr. Stokesberry, in your example, how
do we overcome that fear? Because there is a confidentiality, we
know, it is 72 years before it becomes public information. But, you
know, what are some ideas—I guess your suggestion that we have
Haitians work with the Haitian community, you know, is much bet-
ter than—I guess I did not realize there were so many different na-
tionalities represented here.

Mr. STOKESBERRY. Well, it is clear to me, Mr. Chairman, that we
have hit on it. You heard Merrett Stierheim say it, and others, that
as long as you are using the colleagues, as long as you are usin,
the peer group of that neighborhood, of that community, you wi
have a chance. If you can convince one leader on that block that
this is something that will be of benefit to the entire block, I think
we have a chance.

However, the reason I mentioned what I did about the sampling
is that you still I believe are going to need to project some of that.
You cannot reach every one of those People who is trying to hide.
Say we reach a fourth of them, then I think you would have the


118

said the case will be open for 2 weeks, so we welcome your input
as well.

It has been a great pleasure to be here and you have really
added a tremendous input into making our jobs better able to re-
spond to the needs in the Census Bureau. I just thank you.

Mr. MILLER. Congresswoman Meek.

Mrs. MEEK. Mr. Chairman, I will quickly add that the Hispanic
Caucus of the Congress and the Black Caucus of the Congress have
worked under the supervision or tutelage of our ranking member
there and we have done a lot in terms of grassroots strategies and
working with the Census Bureau and the Department. We have
met with Young and Rubicam and we have given them fits because
we know that the Congress has appropriated all that money but it
is very difficult to get one of your people hired, it will be very dif-
ficult, Dr. Moreno, for you to recommend a Hispanic group here
that can do the media, it will be very difficult for you to get a Hai-
tian group, be very difficult. Right now, as much pressure as we
put on them, the message is not getting to them. We have the big
companies out of Mrs. Maloney’s district and she knows who they
are, they are big people. And we have visited them, both the His-
panic and the Black Caucus. And we said to them we have suitable
contractors in our areas throughout the country. We want them to
get some of the business. We have said the same thing to the drug
people. They still are not hearing us.

So I think the strong message I want to send here today is that
this is local stuff. You will never get the count that you want if you
are dealing with the kind of messages the big media companies
send out. They really have not gotten it, they do not get it. They
do not have it yet. And until we are able to do that, I am hoping
we will get all the cooperation we have gotten from Mrs. Maloney
and you too, Mr. Chairman, because we want to say to Young and
Rubicam we want that count at the neighborhood level. And if you
do not have sampling, you doggone sure better have some other
things out there that are going to make up for some of the things
we are talking about. It is just common sense, but unless the
money—there is enough money—the chairman will not like my
saying this, so he can take me off the record if he wants to—but
the government has put enough money in the census to do the job
that we are talking ‘about, there is enough money there. I must
give this credit to the Republicans, they have put a lot of money,
more than the President asked for. I do not often give them credit,
but I am giving them credit for having funded the census, even bet-
ter than the President requested. And we want that money used,
we want it used to get an accurate count.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. MILLER. Thank you, Congresswoman Meek. Thank you again
for making it possible to have the hearing today and helping us
find witnesses that provided such good input.

We just have a housekeeping thing before we adjourn. In case
there are any additional questions Members have for witnesses, I
ask unanimous consent for the record to remain open for 2 weeks


65

undercount of racial minorities in Florida—Hispanics, African
Americans and American Indians? And if not, why?

Mr. SCHLAKMAN. Any transition is difficult. This one is going rea-
sonably well, so perhaps I should try to avoid creating problems by
stating the position of the next Governor, without discussing it
with him. [Laughter.]

Mrs. MALONEY. Well, if you could—I am told I have 30 seconds
left and I have numerous questions and with really the support of
the chairman, I would like to know if the Governor-elect could re-
spond in writing to the committee and if we could give to you our
additional questions.

I am very concerned about the loss of money to Dade County and
Miami proper and all of south Florida and I would like to know
how much it was. There are a lot of questions that pertain specifi-
cally to this locality and what the undercount meant in terms of
services and dollars. So I was wondering if I could put in the record
these questions and give them really, particularly to the Governor
and the city representatives and State representatives, particularly
the financial impact and other questions, if that is permissible.

Mr. SCHLAKMAN. Yes, and Congresswoman Maloney, I will be
sure to carry your questions back to Governor-elect Bush and I am
certain that he will respond.

Mrs. MALONEY. Thank you very, very much.

Mr. MILLER. We will leave the record open for 2 weeks in order
ip get responses to questions and, if possible, we would appreciate

it.

Congresswoman Meek, 5 minutes for questions.

Mrs. MEEK. Yes, Mr. Chairman. Some of my questions, I hope
that you and the ranking member will be sure that the Census De-
partment will give answers to these questions.

One of them has to do with—similar to what you have asked—
in trying to eliminate the undercount, is sampling the most accu-
rate methodology to estimate the hardest-to-reach 10 percent of the
population? That question has been answered by many people be-
fore but I want to put that in the record.

On the issue of race and ethnicity, the Office of Management and
Budget has proposed changes to the way data is collected on race
and ethnicity, retaining existing classification, but not limiting re-
spondents to identifying with one racial category. So there are
some people. in the population, even though they are African Amer-
icans, they also identify, because they are of mixed heritage. Will
this approach dilute the actual numbers of minorities in this coun-
try and will that dilution have a disparate impact on African Amer-
icans? I hope that you will be able to get some answers for me from
the Census Department on that.

My second question for the record has to do with, on changing
the forms, there will be a new short form, which will change the
way information is tabulated from years past relative to marital
status and other demographic categories. Is this the proper way to
get an accurate count? I fave asked these questions before of the
Census Department, I am sure coming from the chairman and this
subcommittee, I may be able to get more accurate answers—not
more accurate answers, but some definitive answers.


7

TESTIMONY
by
JOHN L. STOKESBERRY
to
. SUB-COMMITTEE ON THE CENSUS
FIELD HEARING, MIAMI, FL, DEC. 10, 1998

Mr. Chairman, Congresswoman Maloney, Congresswoman Meek,
distinguished guests and friends. On behalf of the 400,000 elders residing in
Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties, we welcome the opportunity to address you
and thank you for inviting us to share our concerns regarding the critical issue
of the upcoming 2000 census.

Before beginning my formal oral presentation, I would like the record to
reflect that the Alliance for Aging, Inc. is a private not-for-profit community-
based organization governed by a veluntary board of 27 Directors and a 55
member advisory council representative of the community at large. Although
I am appearing as a non-governmental witness, our agency, as the designated
Area Agency on Aging for Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties, administers
approximately $9 million in federal grants under Titles III and VII of the Older
Americans Act, $1.2 million from the Office of Refugee Resettlement, $1.6
million from the U. S. Department of Agriculture, and $203 thousand from
Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program, for a total of over
$12 million.

Today you have heard from or will soon hear from elected officials, public
policymakers, and other community leaders eloquently describing the
devastating consequences of undercounting and the impact on our community,
which has plagued us for a decade. Due to the unique circumstances which
disproportionately affect South Florida, we now know that the errors made in
1990 resulted in average undercount percentages far exceeding, in some cases,
doubling the average percentage undercounts in other parts of Florida and the
nation.


16

Mrs. MALONEY. In it, it talks about the fact that Miami was
among the top 50 districts nationwide undercounted in the 1990
census. It really says south Florida cannot be shortchanged again.
What is interested is that it lists the four congressional districts
here, Carrie Meek, of course, and Alcee Hastings. But two are rep-
resented by Republicans, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Lincoln Diaz-
Balart. So the argument, I think, is interesting that some Repub-
licans—not Dan Miller—but some have argued that if you counted
the recognized undercount, that the Republican party would lose
power in Congress. This shows that many minorities are Repub-
ican and vote for Republicans and I am sure there are as many
undercounted people in Ros-Lehtinen’s district as Carrie Meek’s. So
it is really a problem that should be beyond politics. It is about pol-
icy and we should do what the scientists and everyone else says
will help us have an accurate count.

I would really like to take this opportunity to not only thank the
chairman, but my colleague Carrie Meek, who has worked not only
very hard for the residents here in Miami and south Florida, but
she has been an outstanding member of the Appropriations Com-
mittee, an outstanding member of the Women’s Caucus and a very,
very strong voice on many of the problems that confront our Na-
tion. I really thank her for hosting our subcommittee today as we
look at the very serious problems of the census undercount.

Carrie Meek and her constituents can offer detailed insight for
improving the census count in Miami by drawing on their famili-
arity with Miami and its surroundings. Miami is one of the most
diverse cities in our Nation and it has one of the largest immigrant
populations in our country. Reaching all of the populations in

iami is key to a successful census 2000.

I know that we are going to be hearing from a number of govern-
ment representatives; however, I am particularly pleased, Mr.
Chairman, that you have begun to reach out to those groups which
are traditionally hard to count. I am also pleased that this is but
one in a series of hearings where we are going to hear from stake-
holders in local communities.

I would like to welcome today’s witnesses, and thank each of you
for taking the time to testify today. Each of you has responsibilities
that consume your days, and I suspect most of you wrote your tes-
timony over the weekend. I appreciate the effort you have made to
be here today and I truly look forward to hearing your comments.

There are a number of components to a successful census that
have nothing to do with the debate over statistical methods that
has been dominating the discussions in Washington.

First, whether or not statistical methods are used, there must be
an accurate address list. The Bureau cannot meet that goal without
the help of local governments. In 1992, Congress passed legislation
to give local governments access to the Census Bureau’s list of ad-
dresses for their community. It was our hope that if the Census
Bureau and local governments could agree on the addresses to be
counted, most of the controversy we saw during local review follow-
ing the 1990 census could be avoided.

Second, whether or not statistical methods are used, there must
be a large advertising and promotion program. The Bureau cannot
do that without advice from community leaders on the kinds of


99

Ms. SUMMERS. My name is Lynn Summers and I am the execu-
tive director of Community Partnership for Homeless. I have held
this position for the last 3 years. Community Partnership is the
private sector partner to the Dade County Homeless Trust. To-
gether, this innovative public-private partnership is addressing just
what 4 years ago was one of the largest and most problematic
homeless populations in the Nation. The success of this commu-
nity’s homeless initiative is recognized as a national model. In
short, we know a lot about homeless people in this community and
a lot about how to count homeless people.

I am going to skip forward just a bit to get to the nut of what
I want to say, and to tell you about our experience over the last
4 years in the bedeviling problem of how to count homeless people,
how to count people who do not have a regular place of residency,
which I think is the core issue that is at the heart of the debate
that is raging.

In my opinion, the statistical sampling methodology is the best
and most viable means of obtaining an accurate count of persons

resent in a complex urban and multi-cultural environment like

jade County, and particularly in a homeless population in that en-
vironment. Further, it is my opinion that a straight enumeration
method would not accomplish the goal of providing accurate data
on which to plan, allocate representation and resources over the
next 10 years.

I want to share with you how we count homeless people here in
Dade County. And prior to thinking about what to bring to this
group today, I have read very carefully and studied the proposed
methodology in the census 2000 plan for counting people without
a permanent residence or usual residence. What we do in Dade
County is we conduct on a periodic basis actual street counts, con-
sistent with the straight enumeration method proposed by the ma-
jority. But because we know, based on our extensive experience

ere with the homeless population, we go one step further and we
apply a multiplier to account for the real numbers of homeless or
underhoused people. This use of a multiplier based on statistical
data is the equivalent of the statistical sampling methodology pro-
posed by the Census Bureau in the census 2000 plan.

To conduct the census process for those persons without dar
residence otherwise will produce skewed results which will not
serve our Nation, this community and similar large complex urban
and multi-ethnic communities. We urge your consideration of the
tried and true method that we have adapted to a very problematic
homeless population over the last 4 or 5 years here in Miami-Dade

unty.

[The prepared statement of Ms. Summers follows:]


21

Mr. MILLER. Congresswoman Meek, would you like to make an
opening statement?

Rats. MEEK. ves J would. a want to thank Chairm: nan Miller and

ing Member Carolyn loney for bringing this hearing to
Miami. I stressed this point to Chairman Miller # and in his affable
manner he said he would. Not only that, he came down a day
ahead of time so he could get a feel for my district here in Miami
and some of the problems that I would be talking about today rel-
ative to an inaccurate count. I want to thank them for that. I want
to commend him for having a sense of purpose in trying to see
what we're doing here ahead of coming to this hearing today.

I think the ranking member has really laid out to you the same
argument which I would give to you, Mr. Chairman, in my proceed-
ing statements. But we are going to benefit so much from an accu-
rate census count in that we have always had an undercount. In
the 1970 census we had an undercount and in the 1990 census we
had an undercount.

I am here also because I am the Point person for the Co S-
sional Black Caucus for the census. We have worked on this for 2
years. It was one of our major priority objectives in which we tried
to pass legislation which would really sort of mandate a more accu-
rate count in the census. We also tried to pass legislation, which
I think Chairman Miller agrees to, at least fe did before, and that
was to be sure that we have people who live in these districts to
serve as accurate census counters, so that when the count is done,
we will know that people will have done this count who are famil-
iar with the area. I plan to file that bill again this year. Hopefully,
I will have Mrs. Maloney’s and Mr. Miller’s signature on these bills
as sponsors.

Before I begin my real testimony, I have to say that the census
has not always been good to African-Americans. If you will remem-
ber, the very founding fathers of this country decided that African-
Americans could stand for only three-fifths of a man, not a full
count, not a full head. That is why it is so important to us that
we be counted accurately in the census in this day. The Constitu-
tion requires this every 10 years. The stakes are very high here,
very, very high, not only in my district but around the country.

T asked Ms. Gwendolyn Warren from the city of Miami Housing
how this count would—if it were an undercount, as it was in 1990,
how it would affect her. I am trying to put a face on some of the
problems you hear here today so that the committee can really get
a feel in this hearing how this will affect the people who live in this
county and in this city if there is an undercount. She mentioned
the fact that one-third of the homeless population is in the city of
Miami. Technically they are city residents, but they are not count-
ed either. She said approximately one-fourth to one-third of Mi-
ami’s population has never been counted. That is a large
undercount. Ms. Sanchez, who is with the county, says you receive
$600 million to $700 million per year in the county from the Fed-
eral Government, that is distributed for needs throughout this
county. Think of it, if you do not have an accurate population
count, you will not be eligible for these funds.

The Census Bureau shows that in the State of Florida alone,
more than a quarter of a million people were undercounted during


50

more than 50,000 undocumented refugees in Miami. Today almost
one-half of Miami’s adult population are not U.S. citizens, while
over 73 percent of Miami’s population speaks a language other
than English at home, the highest rate in the Nation.

Taken together, these characteristics show the city of Miami to
be at an unusual disadvantage among American cities in regard to
census undercounting. If the limiting principle of a simple strict
count is employed in the 2000 census, both the best efforts of the
Census Bureau and the city of Miami’s concerted efforts to assist
the Bureau will be thwarted. This traditional count method will
miss the thousands and thousands of residents who, for reasons
stated above, will prove to be too difficult to find by census enu-
merators.

The city of Miami has been consistently undercounted in the
past. In the 1990 census, for instance, it is estimated that at least
5 percent and possibly as much as 8 percent of the population was
excluded. That is between 18,000 and 29,000 individuals. In the
2000 census, we must do a better job. Fundamental fairness re-
quires that all persons be accounted for. Communities with large
numbers of minorities, poor people and recent immigrants should
not be penalized simply because these people are harder to reach
than others.

The challenge that lies ahead for the Census Bureau is great and
the efforts of the Bureau must be applauded. Clearly the Bureau’s
attempts to measure past undercounts, its self-assessment follow-
ing the 1990 census and its carefully considered proposals to re-
duce the undercount in the forthcoming census are to be praised.
Yet past experience gives little cause for optimism that the 2000
census will be any more accurate than those of 1970, 1980 or 1990.
Despite increasingly accurate master address lists and improved
enumeration practices, survey response rates are expected to de-
crease nationwide. Increasing immigration and economic distress
suggest that the 2000 census will result in a still greater
undercount unless changes are made in how the census is con-
ducted.

Sampling presents a reasonable and long-overdue solution to the
problem of undercounting in the decennial census. In communities
such as the city of Miami, where nonresponse rates are likely to
be very high, professional Census Bureau staff employing scientific
sampling techniques represent the only way to account for hard-to-
reach populations. Sampling is not new to the census and has been
used to gather specialized information and detailed data for many
decades. It is the only way for the city of Miami and other such
communities to at last get credit for all of their residents after
years of undercounting.

It is critical that we pursue all means necessary to ensure that
all Americans—regardless of language, national origin, immigra-
tion status, living arrangements or economic wellbeing—are ac-
counted for in the 2000 census. Sampling provides an appropriate
solution to the problem of undercounting and is the only solution


95

‘Transportation

‘Most Haitian- Americans work outside of their communities, and lack of public

tices ica for se nh car rd presets ond wer and wets uc
services.

Iiteracy

The illiteracy rate among Haitians is the highest (75%) in the Western Hemisphere . This indicator
impacts negatively in the community's economic growth and hampers social mobility. The
combination of illiteracy , limited English proficiency, and the resulting lack of skills has
profoundly limited access to available opportunities.

Acculturation and adaptation

Inthe United States, the Haitian population must adjust to a culture that has not readily welcomed
it. Because Haitians are accustomed to a repressive and abusive type of government, they have
developed a certain degree of paranoia, and consequently feel constantly threatened .

This feeling of insecurity is reinforced by the negative treatment they have received from the U.S.
government, local and state instutions, in addition to the media. The erroneous addition of
‘aitians as a high risk group for HIV perpetuated the negative stigma and isolated Haitians
futher.

Fhitian-Americans now represent the second largest minority group in Miami-Dade County. We
are substantially represented in 9 out of 13 Dade County commission districis. As a community,
‘we face significant barriers which have affected our ability to pursue the American dream. While
‘our numbers in Miami Dade County are clearly substantial, our needs continue to be ill-served.
The lack of Census data reflecting the specificity of our community's needs has resulted in a
isproportinately poor allocation of resources which would stimulate growth and foster stability in
‘our community.

Problems with the 1990 Census

‘The census has always undercounted the population, However, some groups are missed more
offen than others, perpetuating a condition that the census bureau refers to as “differential
undercount”. Reportedly, the 1990 census missed 12.2% Native Americans, 5% Latinos, and
4.4% African-Americans. In contrast, only 0.7% Anglos were uncounted. Nearly 5.0% of
Miami's residents were not counted; Dade County reported a net undercount of 3.7%. Renters
were more likely to be undercounted than homeowners, and children were more likely missed than
adults.

Hhitians were grossly undercounted in the 1990 census. Dr. Alex Stepick, a respected sociology
professor at Florida Intemational University who has written extensively on the Haitian
experience in the U.S., conducted a post-census (1990) in Little Haiti. The results clearly


The Supreme Court heard oral arguments about
sampling on November 30th. Sometimes next spring
the justices will probably issue a decision on the
question of whether this scientific method can be
used in Census 2000. Until then, we have to work
with what we have—a rickety, out-dated, baroquely
complex approach to counting people door-to-door.
That’s what we have right now, so that’s what we
will have to work with.

To that end, the Census Bureau is going to hire
over 300,000 people to do the census. I want to
make sure that we get our fair share of those jobs
right here in Miami and Dade County.

We also need to focus on ways that we can help
ourselves in these efforts.

* We have to make sure that there are language-
based census forms, particularly in this district,
where a number of our people are of Spanish,
French, Creole, and African descent. At present,
the Census forms do not accommodate the
multiplicity of those rich and diverse cultures.

* We have to make sure that we get our churches
and non-profit organizations involved in forming


133

Dr. Dario Moreno
December 1998.
Page 3

record of the December 10, 1998, hearing. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle
‘Ash at (202) 225-5420. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and assistance.

Lackey # Aah

cc: The Honorable Dan Miller
‘Chairman, Subcommittee on the Census


17

messages that will convince people to participate. They also can
use advice on the best vehicle for those messages. Tailoring the ad-
vertising campaign to local communities cannot be done without
community involvement.

Third, whether or not statistical methods are used, the Bureau
must recruit and hire hundreds of thousands of temporary workers.
It cannot do that without referrals from individuals in all economic
sectors who can identify potential applicants.

Fourth, whether or not statistical methods are used, there must
be language assistance guides. I must say, flying into Miami today
from New York, I was very pleased to see that all the signs were
in dual ges. We do not have that in New York, even though
we have a e Latino speaking community. We must make sure
that we do have language assistance and questionnaire assistance
centers to help people, particularly those with limited English
skills. We must make sure that they understand and fill out their
forms. The Census Bureau cannot do that without help from com-
munity leaders in identifying the best locations for assistance cen-
ters and volunteers to help staff these activities.

It is important to remember that under the Census Bureau’s
plan for 2000, statistical methods will not take the place of an ag-
gressive direct counting effort aimed at every single household in
every community. It will merely support and supplement those
counting operations and serve as a quality check.

It takes only a simple look back to understand the future. The
census has a past that it cannot escape. A census that only relies
on so-called traditional counting methods is guaranteed to fail. We
know that. It is that simple. Virtually every independent expert re-
view of the census process has concluded that without scientific
statistical methods to augment direct mail and door-to-door efforts,
the 2000 census will not be any better than 1990. In fact, it will
probably be worse. More pointedly, these experts concluded that
the highly disproportionate undercount of minorities will not be re-
duced without statistical methods, and in fact, it may be worse.

The Commerce Department’s Inspector General has reached that
same conclusion. In January 1997, the inspector general said,

If conducting the most accurate census possible is a national goal for 2000, then
the ICM is the only proven method to correct the greatest obstacle to an accurate
count, coverage bias. st gampling nonrespondents is proven essential for completing
the survey within legal deadlines, then it too is necessary for a more accurate count.

Referring to coverage improvement programs used in 1990 to
boost the sagging door-to-door count, the inspector general said,

Without the use of statistical sampling, the pressure to count everyone will likely
manifest itself as a host of similarly ineffectual, expensive programs. There is no
evidence to suggest that the undercount in 2000 will be lower than in 1990 without
the use of modern statistical techniques.

The U.S. General Accounting Office has reached the identical
conclusion. In a hearing before this subcommittee in response to a
question about the effectiveness of outreach efforts, Nye Stevens
said, “We certainly do not believe that outreach and promotion will
be enough to eliminate the persistent differential undercount that
has been with us for so many decades.”

Several panels convened by the National Academy of Science
reached the same conclusion in 1994. The Panel to Evaluate Alter-


61

need to get the best count we can. So, you know, even if we use
sampling, we need to work together to get that best effort and best
count.

Let me ask, were any of you involved with the 1990 census? You
were in the State Senate at the time—were you here at the time
during the 1990 census?

Mr. STIERHEIM. No, I was running the Convention and Visitors
Bureau, but I was not involved in the census.

Mr. MILLER. Well, I was not actually involved in 1990 in the cen-
sus either. But at any rate, there is a lot of good things the Census
Bureau is doing for the 2000 census. Some of the recommendations
you made, they are already working on.

One of the things that we have stressed that is very important—
and I think they are working in that area—is the issue of working
together with communities. It is called the Complete Count Com-
mittee. And I am interested in your experience so far in working
with the Census Bureau and getting a Complete Count Committee
together. Have any of you been involved directly? And also, how do
you envision your local governmental organization, whether the
city, State, or county, will be involved? Because for each of you, you
obviously have a vested interest in the outcome of this. It is to your
best interest to have that number as high as possible, because it
has an effect on dollars.

By the way, one comment on the dollar issue—this is a zero sum
game. So, you know, if we get more money for Dade County, that
is fine, but you have to go tell some other county they are going
to lose money. It is not like everybody gets more because we are
talking about discretionary money. But we want to obviously get
the best count possible.

So let me ask the question. How do you envision your govern-
mental agency, structure, directly being involved, have you been in-
volved so far, and any suggestions of what we can do to make it
better for you to be involved. We know, in 1990 for example, that
when Milwaukee got involved in the census, they had 10 percent
higher mail response rate in Milwaukee and in Cincinnati than
elsewhere in the country. So they did an active participation in
areas like that. So let me open it up and whoever wants to start,
we will just go down the line.

Mr. STIERHEIM. Thank you for that question, and as I sat here
and thought about it, Miami-Dade County ernment is one that
if we include Jackson Memorial Hospital, has 33,000 employees.
We have 13 commissioners elected from single-member districts,
who are very close to the people in their districts.

I think we could form a task force, clearly we know the organiza-
tions that are in these neighborhoods that could assist on the con-
tractual or participative process. I think we could really get our-
selves structured where we would be a great resource to the Bu-
reau and the personnel that are working in this area.

We have a public cable television channel, the city of Miami has
the same thing and most of our other cities do. We could organize
a public information or public relations program to really stimu-
late. We can go to the various organizations that represent con-
stituencies by race and ethni and reach out to them to educate.
We can go through the religious institutions, the archdiocese, et


130

of state level.
This is how we hope the classification will read:
Blacks:

a Aftican Americans
b, Baitian-Americans

7. ‘Has your group or any other groups representing Haitian- Americans approached the
‘Consus Bureau about including a category for Haitians and what was the Bureau's response,?

‘The Service Employee International Union (SEIU) has met with the Cenaus Bureau's
representatives several times during the course of last year (1998) to adress this issue. They

‘were advised that the census forms to be used during census 2000 bave already beea completed
and that at this point, It was too Iate to create another sub-category.

Has anyone for the Census Bureau approached your group sbout getting ideas for
iaprovng the methods used for etuntng te Hatlan populaton?

‘Yes, Mr. Frantz Jean-Louis.

‘Again, Thank yout

In Unity,

Martoine Bastien, LCSW

Chairperson
Haitian-American Commission on the Census 2000


114

| would submit that a variety of factors have contributed to the
undercounting in the South Florida Asian American community including
the following:

1. a misunderstanding of the importance of the Census and apathy
towards participation;

2. adistrust or suspicion of the government's need to obtain accurate
and complete census information;

3. a lack of English language skills to understand and complete the
census, and

4. alow response to census solicitations due to work/time demands.

With respect to the Asian American community, | would urge that
efforts be heightened to increase educational efforts in the community prior
to the actual taking of the census to increase census awareness. This may
be accomplished through the use of native language circulars, phampliets,
Notices, or fact sheets and P.S.A.s explaining the census and the questions
asked and encouraging participation with distribution through the local
ethnic press, community based organizations, churches, libraries, and
other distribution channels. | would urge that consideration be given to
fund this educational effort to support local community based organizations
and other information providers. Based upon the sufficiency of the
response obtained in the course of the official enumeration, then other
methods could and should be utilized to supplement the responses.

In closing, | would urge that sampling be permitted as a means of
insuring that each of our communities receive its fair and just share as the
year 2000 census is conducted. For the Florida Asian American
community, an accurate count in the year 2000 census will underscore the
fact that my community is an important part of the greater South Florida
community, one which deserves equal consideration and respect, deserves
the opportunity to participate in discussions and decisions that will
ultimately impact the community. Hopefully, the days when the Asian
American community were ignored and considered statistically insignificant
by public officials, denied the opportunity to participate, and shut out from
the decision making processes will become merely an ugly aberration in
the American dream where we are equal partners in the democratic
processes and where there truly is liberty and justice for all. Thank you for
your consideration and deliberations on this important matter to all
Floridians.


116

Mr. Moreno. And it took a full blown section 2 challenge to get
you there.

Mrs. MEEK. Absolutely.

Mr. MorENo. So I think that is the real danger. And where I
would be more concerned actually is the voting rights challenges.

Mrs. MEEK. All right, thank you.

In addition to the other people I mentioned, you know, this is my
turf, Mr. Chairman, and I have to mention these people who are
out there who will perhaps send you letters, you and the ranking
member will perhaps get lots—or at least staff will—additional
comments. Emilio Lopez, who represents a very large Puerto Rican
community is out there and I am sure Professor Moreno and the
rest of you realize that they will be coming back. Because I think
Marleine gave a very, very excellent description of what is going
on in the Haitian community, and each of you did.

And I am so glad we were able to reach out and get the kind of
representation we have and, of course, we have to depend on people
like Mr. Stokesberry to really, really put this challenge—I did not
realize—I am Tike the ranking member, I did not realize there was
so much dynamics to each one of these areas that we talked to each
one of you, and I appreciate so much your being here and I want
to thank the chairman for allowing me the time. I am not a mem-
ber of this committee, but they knew not to come to Miami unless
they invited me to come up here and sit. [Laughter.]

Thank you very much.

Mr. MILLER. Thank you, Carrie.

We are going to have to conclude here in a very, very few min-
utes, but we have time for one short question from each of the
members of the panel. There are some other people that wish to
have some input in here, and I know I have seen the gentleman’s
hand up there.

VoIcE. I would like to make a suggestion. The next time you
have a meeting like this, these people are really good, I congratu-
late you, you should have at least 30 minutes after the presen-
tation to allow the public who are also interested to make a presen-
tation or ask any questions, to be able to be heard.

Mr. MILLER. I appreciate that advice, maybe we could work that
out at the next time we have a hearing.

I know Congresswoman Meek, when she and her staff put to-
gether, had a lot more people she would have liked to have in, but
because of the limited time and ability, we tried to get the best
cross section there. So I think it was a good suggestion.

I will be accepting statements that I will include in the record,
so if someone wants to submit it to the committee, if you have a
question, there are several staff members—you will have 2 weeks
to get it in. And we will also have the provision that some of us
may send some written questions out and if you have a chance, I
hope you will answer them.

e have a few minutes left and each of us will take one quick
question. Let me ask a question. How many of you all have bee!
working with the Census Bureau in any way so far this year, on
this decennial issue?


STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN DAN MILLER
SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE CENSUS
Miami Field Hearing
December 10, 1998

ike to welcome everyone to the first field hearing of the Subcommittee on the
Census, especially our witnesses who will be giving important testimony regarding the
2000 Census this afternoon. I would like to extend a special thanks to Congresswoman
Carrie Meck // Mrs. Meek requested that we come to Miami and I'm glad we were able to
make this hearing happen. // Miami is has one of the most diverse populations in the
nation and I think that it's very appropriate for us to begin our field hearing process here.
4"

T would also like to thank the staff of Ms. Meek who provided invaluable assistance in
making this hearing a reality. Thank you very much.///

Yesterday, I had a wonderful opportunity to take a tour of Ms. Meck's district. / Carrie
and I had talked about this for some time and I'm glad we were able to make it happen. I
‘was able to visit an early head start program, a senior’s home, a public housing project, an
program to help at risk teens and a homeless shelter. /

{I must say that one of the highlights of yesterday's tour was when at the County Center
‘we happened upon a math bowl // taking place among Tittle I fourth graders. Being a
former math teacher I was delighted to see such enthusiasm over math. // My staff doesn’t
know this yet, but I brought a copy of the fourth graders test with me and I have a little
surprise for them when I get back to Washington //

_T’ve had the opportunity to travel around the country in my capacity as a Member of

‘and although the specific needs of people vary depending on where you are,
there is always this recurring theme:// People care about what their government is doing/
‘Your constituents, Mrs. Meek, are no different. I found them very well informed and they
had some very good ideas on how to improve their lives and the lives of those in their
community. You have some fine constituents, Carrie, and I hope that we can continue to
‘work together in the future, as we have in the past and provide the resources that they
need. //

Let me be clear as we begin this hearing.// Everyone gathered here today has the same
goal.) We all believe itis paramount that everyone is counted in the 2000 Census. //
‘The Census is important because itis the fundamental building block of our representative
‘governmeat - from local school board and city council members to state legislators and
Members of Congress. The Census is the DNA of our Democracy.//

It is critical that we count as many people as possible.///


93

December 10, 1998,

Honorable Den Miller Honorable Carolyn Maloney
Chairman ‘Ranking Member

‘Subcommittee on the Census ‘Subcommittee on the Census

Hi-114 O'Neill House Office Building H1-114 O'Neill House Office Building
Washington, D.C, 20515 Washington, D.C. 20515

Good afternoon Honorable Dan Miller and Honorable Carolyn Maloney:

‘My naroe is Marleine Bastien, I'm here on behalf of the Haitian-American community in

South Florida. I'm the president of the Haitian Women of Miami, a commanity based
‘organization. I'm also the chairperson of the Comenission on the Census 2000 in the Haitian
‘American Grassroots Coalition. First, let me thank you for holding a field hearing in Miami Dade
County.

In my preseatation, Iwill frst share with you the Haitian- American experience and explore ways
00 how we can best coordinate our efforts to achieve an accurate census count in our
comraunity. Second, I will talk about the specific needs of the Haitian-American community and
the mechanisms that need to be set in motion to assure that we are counted in the census 2000.
Third, I will propose the use of modern “statistical sampling” techniques in the census 2000 £0
that people who are historically missed such as: recent immigrants, women, children, city
dwellers, renters, and the poor can be counted.

History of Migration

‘The Haitian presence in the United States is not the result of recent Haitian immigration, because
Haitians have immigrated to the United States since the American Revolution, Many Haitian
immigrants have made significant contributions to the American culture. For example, Jean-
Baptiste Pointe du Sable built the first permanent settlement at what would become Chicago, and
‘over 1,000 Haitians fought against the British in the Battle of Savannah in 1779. In more recent
times, however, political turbulence , coupled with extreme poverty in Haiti, had led large
numbers of refugees to flee Haiti and to take up residence in the United States, especially in South
Florida. In the second half of the 20th century, there have been four waves of Haitian migration:

1. The first wave of immigrants came primarily because of direct political oppression during
the first decade of Francois Duvalier (1957-1967). He elimnated all opponents, real or imaginary.
Inthe second decade of the Duvalier dictatorship, political repression remained strong but was
accompanied by incompetence which led to a waste of natural resources.

2. The second wave of immigrants consisted of skilled craftsmen who came to the United
States looking for better living conditions owing to economic hardships. ARter the death of


38

Mr. Chairman, on behalf of Governor Lawton Chiles, I once
again thank you for the opportunity to appear before you this after-
noon to raise issues of great importance to our State.

Mr. MILLER. Thank you.

: Senator Margolis.
{The prepared statement of Mr. Schlakman follows:]


125

‘Ms. Marieine Bastien
December 1998

Page 2

%

‘the Committees that they lacked the human and financial resources to promote the census.

A. We heard today that a Complete Count Commitice was created for Miami. Has a
‘Complete Count Commitice been created for Dade County?

B. —_ What expectations has the Census Bureau set for the Committee? Specifically,
what expectations were set regarding staffing, funding, and outreach ectivities?

C. tn your opinion, are the Census Bureau's expectations reasonable/achievable? If
‘Rot, how would you change them?

D. —_ What more can the Census Bureau do to facilitate the outreach effort in Miami,
‘Dade County, and Florida?

In your opinion, does the Census Bureau's design for the 2000 census inchide a sufficient
amount of time and resources to promote the census in the Haitian Community?

‘You testified that having a specific classification in the 2000 census to identify Haitians
could help reduce the undercount of the Haitian populstion. Could you expand on your
‘statement, the Subcommittee is interested more about how this would help improve the
accuracy of the Haitian count?

Has your group or any other group representing Haitian Americans approached the
‘Census Bureau about including « category for Haitians and whst was the Buresu’s
response?

‘Has anyone for the Census Buresu approached you group about getting ideas for
improving the methods used for counting the Haitian population?

Please forward your responses to the Subcommittee at B-350 Rayburn House Office Building by
close of business January 11, 1999. My questions and your answers will be part of the official


100

‘Thursday, December 10, 1998

My name is Lynn M, Summers. I am the Executive Director of Community Partnership
for Homeless, Inc. Ihave held this position for the last 3-plus years. Community
Partnership for Homeless is the private sector partner to the public sector Miami-Dade
County Homeless Trust. Together this innovative public/private partnership is

addressing what was just four years ago one of the largest and most problematic homeless
populations in the nation ~ the success of this community's homeless initiative is
recognized as a national model,

With this background, I appear here this afternoon to provide you input from the streets
and by ways of this community on the issue of the appropriate methodology to be utilized
in the upcoming Census 2000.

In preparation for this testimony this aftemoon, I have reviewed the
‘Census 2000 plan as prepared by the Census Bureau and other materials provided to me
by various organizations as well as independent materials gathered by myself.

In my opinion, the statistical sampling methodology is the best and most viable means of
‘obtaining an accurate count of the persons present in a complex, urban and multi-cultural
environment like Miami-Dade County. Further, it is my opinion that a straight
‘enumeration method will not accomplish the goal of providing accurate data on which to
plan, allocate representation and resources over the next 10 years - it will create even
further aberrations and flaws in the processes that are at the core of our democratic
society. The foundation of this opinion is the work and research that I have engaged in
over the past three-plus years in an effort to count “people with no usual residence” ~
homeless and underhoused persons.

‘Among the most daunting tasks faced by this community five years ago when it moved
forward in earnest to address its homeless problem, was the task of determining the
number of homeless people. After years of academic research and trial-and-error work
on the streets of our community with varying degrees of success, we in Miami-Dade
County have devised and are employing a methodology that we believe to be the best
practice for those persons who do not have addresses, receive mail or respond to
traditional bureaucratic means of contact by those who are driven to count heads for
whatever purpose

On the specific issue of the enumeration plan for people with no usual residence, the
plan and procedures incorporated into the Census 2000 Plan is consistent with and, in
fact, mirrors the methodology carefully crafted here in Miami-Dade County over the last
five years.



41

In 1992, GAO calculated that in the Medicaid, federal highway funds and Social Services
Block Grant programs alone, Florida would have gained millions of dollars in additional
federal funding each year if adjusted census figures had been used. According to the
GAO, that relates to only three out of more than 100 federal programs that use population
data as a basis to allocate revenue.

‘Therefore, our primary concerns are focused upon the results of the census, not,
necessarily upon the methodology employed to conduct it. if we could be assured that an
actual enumeration would provide the most accurate results, we would have no quarrel
with the method, However, our experience in 1990 clearly indicates otherwise.

States like Florida suffer from higher error rates than others when direct counts are
determinative. These problems are exacerbated further for growth states -- again, like
Florida. It would be unfortunate at best for Congress to perpetuate, for yet another
decade, the fundamental unfaimess of a significantly flawed count.

In closing, Governor Chiles in 1992 called for “nothing more than fairness, nothing less
than accuracy” as he advocated for the use of statistically adjusted figures to more fairly
distribute federal funds. He said, “It just adds insult to injury when the fourth largest
state in the country...is knowingly treated unfairly. As far as I am concemed, not using
the updated numbers amounts to grand theft."

On behalf of Governor Lawton Chiles, 1, once again, thank you for the opportunity to
appear before you this aftemoon to raise issues of great importance to our state.