Joint resolution relating to the publication of economic and social statistics for Americans of Spanish origin or descent.
PL 94-311 (H.J.Res.92), enacted 06/16/1976

90 STAT. 688 
PUBLIC LAW 94-311—JUNE 16, 1976 
Public Law 94-311 
94th Congress 
if 
June 16. 1976 
[HJ. Res. 92] 
Americans of 
Spanish origin or 
descent. 
Economic and 
social statistics, 
publication. 
29 use 8. 
15 use 1516a. 
15 use 1516a 
note. 
13 use 141 note. 
Joint Resolution 
Relating to the publication of economic and social statistics for Americans of 
Spanish origin or descent. 
Whereas more than twelve million Americans identify themselves as 
being of Spanish-speaking background and trace their origin or 
descent from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Central and South Amer-
ica, and other Spanish-speaking countries; and 
Whereas these Americans of Spanish origin or descent have made 
significant contributions to enrich American society and have served 
their Nation well in time of war and peace; and 
Whereas a large number of Americans of Spanish origin or descent 
suffer from racial, social, economic, and political discrimination and 
are denied the basic opportunities they deserve as American citizens 
and which would enable them to begin to lift themselves out of the 
poverty they now endure; and 
Whereas improved evaluation of the economic and social status of 
Americans of Spanish origin or descent will assist State and Federal 
Governments and private organizations in the accurate determina-
tion of the urgent and special needs of Americans of Spanish origin 
or descent; and 
Whereas the provision and commitment of State, Federal, and private 
resources can only occur when there is an accurate and precise 
assessment of need: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved hy the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That the Department of 
Labor, in cooperation with the Department of Commerce, shall develop 
methods for improving and expanding the collection, analysis, and 
publication of unemployment data relating to Americans of Spanish 
origin or descent. 
SEC. 2. The Department of Commerce, the Department of Labor, 
the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and the Depart-
ment of Agriculture shall each collect, and publish regularly, statistics 
which indicate the social, health, and economic condition of Americans 
of Spanish origin or descent. 
SEC. 3. The Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in 
cooperation with the Secretary of Commerce and with the heads of 
other data-gathering Federal agencies, shall develop a Government-
wide program for the collection, analysis, and publication of data 
with respect to Americans of Spanish origin or descent. 
SEC. 4. The Department of Commerce, in cooperation with appropri-
ate Federal, State and local agencies and various population study 
groups and experts, shall immediately undertake a study to determine 
what steps would be necessary for developing creditable estimates of 
undercounts of Americans of Spanish origin or descent in future 
censuses. 
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PUBLIC LAW 94-311—JUNE 16, 1976 
90 STAT. 689 
SEC. 5. The Secretary of Commerce shall ensure that, in the Bureau 13 USC141 note, 
of the Census data-collection activities, the needs and concerns of the 
Spanish-origin population are given full recognition through the use 
of Spanish language questionnaires, bilingual enumerators, and other 
such methods as deemed appropriate by the Secretary. 
SEC. 6. The Department of Commerce shall implement an affirmative 
Affirmative 
action program within the Bureau of the Census for the employment action program, 
of personnel of Spanish origin or descent and shall submit a report ^^P^rt to 
to Congress within one year of the enactment of this Act on the V3'n^r*22 note 
progress of such program. 
Approved June 16, 1976. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 94-190 (Coram, on Post Office and Civil Service). 
SENATE REPORT No. 94-896 (Coram, on Post Office and Civil Service). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 121 (1975): Oct. 29, considered and passed House. 
Vol. 122 (1976): May 21, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
June 7, House concurred in Senate amendments. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS: 
Vol. 12, No. 25 (1976): June 16, Presidential statement.