Officials from the Commerce Department's Census Bureau will hold a series of meetings across the country this summer to enlist the assistance of governmental and nongovernmental organizations to make Census 2000 the simplest, least costly and most accurate ever. Through such partnerships, we can make informed decisions about where to locate census forms so people can find them. We also need these organizations to explain to their constituencies why the data are needed and to encourage quick response after they receive their form. Invitees will include representatives from state and local governments, American Indian and Alaska Native governments, foundations, unions, trade associations, policy groups, educational organizations, religious organizations and community action and advocacy groups. Officials at every level of government use census data to determine representation in the Congress and state legislatures.
Local governments use the data for such purposes as planning, roads, schools and child-care centers.
Advocacy groups use the data to apply for grants to fund social programs and activities that improve the well-being of their communities. And business people make decisions about where to put factories or retail outlets based on these data. We want Census 2000 to be a census we do with you. The summer meetings follow national conferences of governmental and nongovernmental organizations held in Washington, D.C. this spring. In over 100 surveys annually and 20 censuses a decade, evolving from the first census in 1790, the Census Bureau provides official information about America's people, businesses, industries and institutions.