IN SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY

WHEREAS, at the will of the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Census Bureau implemented the American Community Survey (ACS) in 2005; and,

WHEREAS, the ACS collects demographic, housing, social, economic, and financial characteristics for the Nation in all states, as well as for all cities, counties, and other geographic areas with a population of 65,000 or more; and,

WHEREAS, in 2010, the ACS replaced the traditional decennial census long form – whose primary purpose is to conduct an official count the Nation’s population for the purpose of Congressional apportionment and legislative redistricting ; and,

WHEREAS, the ACS measures the changing demographic, housing, social, economic, and financial characteristics of the Nation; and,

WHEREAS, the Census Bureau releases ACS estimates over 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year periods to ensure that every community of every size is assessed; and,

WHEREAS, the data collected by the ACS ensures that mayors, Members of Congress, and other policymakers have the most current information for policy development, allocation of funds, and program evaluation; and,

WHEREAS, the ACS is conducted under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, which requires the Census Bureau to keep all information strictly confidential; and,

WHEREAS, data is collected from the ACS only for statistical purposes; and,

WHEREAS, the ACS is the only source for annual demographic, social, economic, housing and financial information for every Congressional Districts; and,

WHEREAS, the ACS provides local leaders information to determine the needs of their communities, such as where to build new roads, schools, hospitals, offices, and community centers; and,

WHEREAS, the ACS provides data that the business community use for their investment and hiring decisions, resulting in new jobs in America’s cities; and,

WHEREAS, the local firefighters, police officers, and other emergency personnel use ACS estimates for natural disaster planning and response.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the U.S. Conference of Mayors reaffirms its support for the ACS because it provides vital economic, social, and housing estimates from America’s counties, cities, congressional districts, towns, and communities that are not provided anywhere else; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the U.S. Conference of Mayors acknowledges that the ACS estimates provide invaluable information for tracking the economy and population changes that are critical to the growth of America’s cities; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the U.S. Conference of Mayors promotes the business community’s use of ACS estimates to learn about the local labor force, new and existing markets, needs of prospective customers, commuting patterns, and more; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the U.S. Conference of Mayors supports the Census Bureau’s goal to produce complete and accurate data that meet the needs of America’s cities; and,

FINALLY, BE IT RESOLVED, the U.S. Conference of Mayors defends the ACS because it provides timely estimates that inform America’s mayors in their decision-making.