[CTPP] Census 2000 Bulletin

********** C E N S U S 2 0 0 0 B U L L E T I N ********** Vol. 3 - No. 1 Jan. 25, 1999 Following the U.S. Supreme Court's 5-to-4 ruling today against the use, for purposes of congressional apportionment, of statistical sampling in Census 2000, Commerce Department Secretary William M. Daley issued the following statement: "To begin with, let me say that we are very grateful that the Supreme Court issued its ruling quickly, although we obviously are disappointed with the decision. "Our focus will continue to be conducting the most accurate census possible. "As the President said in his State of the Union Address, 'since every person in America counts, every American ought to be counted.' "As everyone knows, the 1990 census was the first in fifty years to be less accurate than its predecessor. "It contained 12 million mistakes, undercounting millions of Americans, especially children and members of racial and ethnic minority groups. "The Census Bureau proposed the use of sampling to correct these errors, an approach that was strongly supported by the National Academy of Sciences and the statistical community. "It is very important to understand that the only issue before the Supreme Court was the use of sampling for apportioning the seats in the House of Representatives among the States. "The court itself summarized its ruling by stating 'we conclude that the Census Act prohibits the proposed uses of statistical sampling in calculating the population for purposes of apportionment.' "In reaching that conclusion, the Court actually affirmed the legality of sampling for other purposes. "The Census Bureau is reviewing the Court's opinion and the results of the dress rehearsal in order to ensure that the 2000 census is designed to produce the most accurate accounting of the American people and, of course, to comply fully with the law. "Thank you very much." Earlier in the day, Census Bureau Director Kenneth Prewitt said, "As I have said many times, the Census Bureau is committed to only one principle -- to provide the most accurate, scientifically sound census possible in accordance with the law. "The Census Bureau career professionals will conduct the census for 2000 that provides the nation apportionment numbers that do not rely on statistical sampling." For further information about Census 2000 Bulletins, contact J. Paul Wyatt on 301-457-3052 (fax: 301-457-3670; e-mail: pio(a)census.gov).