I got this email from friend Terri Ann at the The Census Project ------------- Good evening, Census Project colleagues. A brief follow-up to Phil Sparks' earlier memo regarding the Joint Economic Committee hearing scheduled for June 19, to review the consequences of eliminating the Census Bureau's American Community Survey and Economic Census. 1. Below is a hearing notice from congressional staff. As Phil mentioned, the hearing is open to the public, and we urge census/ACS stakeholders in the Washington, DC area to attend, to demonstrate interest in and concern about this issue. 2. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), House Democrat on this bipartisan (evenly divided), bicameral committee, will preside over the hearing. Rep. Maloney has invited stakeholder organizations to submit testimony "for the hearing record." For those unfamiliar with this procedure, a committee may include, in the official hearing record, statements from interested parties who did not testify at the hearing. The statement should be directly relevant to the topic of the hearing. While it usually can be of any length, I suggest statements between one and five pages only (single or double spaced), concise and to the point, demonstrating concrete consequences to your organization, members, or constituency of eliminating these vital, core Census Bureau programs. Statements should bear the title, committee name, and date of the hearing at the top. The first sentence or two should indicate in some fashion that you are submitting the statement for the hearing record (and appreciate the opportunity to do so!). Here's an example: Written Statement of Americans for Census Data, Inc. Submitted for the Hearing Record "The Economic Impact of Ending or Reducing Funding for the American Community Survey and Other Government Statistics" Joint Economic Committee Congress of the United States June 19, 2012 It is appropriate to begin your statement by addressing the senior committee members from both parties (whether or not they are in attendance): "Congresswoman Maloney (presiding), Chairman Casey, Vice Chairman Brady, Senator DeMint, and Rep. Hinchey: Thank you for the opportunity to submit a statement for the official hearing record, expressing [name of organization]'s deep concern about the proposed elimination of the Census Bureau's American Community Survey and the possible cancellation of the 2012 Economic Census due to insufficient funding in fiscal year 2013." (Of course, feel free to address one or the other or both of those specific Census Bureau programs, based on the focus and work of your organization or institution.) You may submit all statements electronically to the Office of Rep. Carolyn Maloney, attn: Elizabeth Darnall, at <Elizabeth.Darnall(a)mail.house.gov>ov>. Be sure to include a clear subject matter line for Elizabeth: "Statement for the Hearing Record in Support of the ACS/Economic Census" (or something similar). You should send statements to Elizabeth no later than close of business on Monday, June 18. (Sorry for the short notice, but that's how things work on the Hill!) Those of you with state and local organizations/institutions should consider sending a copy of your statement, with a brief cover note/email of explanation, to your own representatives and senators, to let them know of your continued concern about and interest in this issue. Terri Ann Co-Director, The Census Project Terri Ann Lowenthal | Consultant | TerriAnn2K(a)aol.com (h/o) 203-353-4364 | (c) 202-258-2425 --------------------------------------------------------------- CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE Hearing Announcement A hearing before the Joint Economic Committee will be held on Tuesday, June 19, 2012, at 2:30 p.m., in room 210 of the Cannon House Office Building. WHAT: Hearing on The Economic Impact of Ending or Reducing Funding for the American Community Survey and other Government Statistics WHO: Mr. Kenneth Simonson, Chief Economist, The Associated General Contractors of America and Vice President, National Association for Business Economists, Washington, DC The Honorable Vincent P. Barabba, Former Director of the Census Bureau (1973-1976; 1979-1981) and Current Chairman, Market Insight Corporation Capitola, CA The Honorable Keith Hall, Senior Research Fellow, Mercatus Center at George Mason University and former Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Arlington, Virginia The Honorable Grant D. Aldonas, Principal Managing Director, Split Rock International, Washington, DC WHEN: 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 19, 2012 WHERE: 210 Cannon House Office Building Representative Carolyn B. Maloney presiding. -- Ed Christopher FHWA Resource Center Planning Team 4749 Lincoln Mall Drive, Suite 600 Matteson, IL 60443 708-283-3534 (V) 708-574-8131 (C)