I'm forwarding this message from Linda Gage, chief of our California State Data Center. This message was sent to the State Data Center listserv this past Friday afternoon (10/8/04). Chuck Purvis ********************************************************************************************************************************************************************* Dear Colleagues, Recently reports have indicated that funding for the full launch of the American Community Survey is uncertain. The Census Bureau director will terminate the ACS if sufficient funding is not forthcoming in the 2005 budget. So far, the House has recommended $146 million and the Senate appropriators allocated $64 million. Anything less than $142 million will result in the ACS being cancelled. The congressional conference committee to determine 2005 funding will begin very soon. We asked what we could do to help. Letting key members know of the value of the ACS to your organization and local governments can help. Please mail the letters to the appropriate Representatives and Senators. However, to assure that the staff has the information during the conference, please fax a copy to David McMillen at 202-225-2608 and they will be delivered to the appropriate members. You can write a single letter addressed to both Representatives, and a second letter addressed to both Senators. However, four copies should be mailed. The addresses are: Rep. Frank R. Wolf Rep. Jose E. Serrano Chairman, Ranking Minority Member Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, Judiciary, and Related Agencies State, Judiciary, and Related Agencies H-309, The Capitol 1016 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515-6017 Washington, DC 20515-6860 On the Senate side, letters should go to: Senator Judd Gregg Senator Ernest F. Hollings Chairman Ranking Minority Member Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and the Judiciary State, and the Judiciary S-146A, The Capitol 123 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510-6027 20515