Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Deirdra L. Picou (212) 788-2971
Joining the Mayor were Dr. Everett M. Ehrlich, Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs; Tony Farthing, Regional Director, U.S. Census Bureau, New York Regional Office; Dr. Martha Farnsworth Riche, Director, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington Office; the Hon. Mayor William Pascrell, Jr., Paterson, NJ; and Joseph B. Rose, Director of New York City Department of Planning & Chairman of the New York City Planning Commission.
Mayor Giuliani said, "Although the "Year 2000" Census is four years away, I am pleased to see that the Federal Government is already planning for this monumental and vitally important task. As the most populous City in America, New York has a strong interest in ensuring an accurate census count.
"The significance of the National Census, which is required by the Constitution, cannot be overstated. The Census is vital to the functioning of our representative democracy. Census counts heavily influence our decision-making process. From the national level to the local level -- from drawing congressional districts and determining the number of districts in each state, the data derived from the Census affects every American," said the Mayor.
"Fairness will be an essential feature of the new census. New York City, and all of our nation's cities, have for too long suffered from undercounts that have denied us political representation and federal resources. We endorse this census strategy for a more accurate and cost -effective census; one which will account for every individual through a variety of means, including the use of sampling. Working with the federal government, the City's is committed to helping prepare effectively for the year 2000 Census."
The Mayor concluded, "Instead of trying to count everyone, the next census will account for everyone. We will work as a partner -- in a spirit of cooperation toward a common goal -- to insure that as the 21st century gets under way the most reliable methods available are used to make our population count as accurate as possible."