IN SUPPORT OF CRITICAL U.S. CENSUS BUREAU SURVEYS

WHEREAS, the U.S. Census Bureau serves as the leading source of quality data about the nation's people and economy; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Census Bureau is authorized by the U.S. Constitution and Federal law to collect and disseminate data guided by scientific objectivity to provide information about the Nation; and

WHEREAS, Title 13 of the United States Code requires the Census Bureau to keep information strictly confidential; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts a host of surveys to collect and distribute data to policy makers at all levels of governments, including but not limited to the American Community Survey, Economic Census, and Census of Governments; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Census Bureau implemented the American Community Survey (ACS) to collect data on demographic, housing, social, economic, and financial characteristics all cities; and

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

WHEREAS, ACS estimates provide America’s cities data that the business community use for investment and hiring decisions, resulting in job opportunities; and

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

WHEREAS, the Economic Census is collected every 5 years – in years ending in “2” and “7” –to provide reliable business statistics that are essential to understanding the American economy every; and

WHEREAS, only the Economic Census provides information on industry revenues and other measures of American business performance that are consistent, comparable, and comprehensive across industries and geographic areas; and

WHEREAS, government agencies, trade associations and chambers of commerce and businesses in America’s cities rely on data from the Economic Census for economic development, business decisions, planning and key economic reports; and

WHEREAS, the Economic Census provides America’s cities information on comparative and trend data used to identify business expansion opportunities in local communities; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts the Census of Governments every 5 years – in years ending in “2” and “7” – of all state and local governments, which includes organizational data, employment data, and finance data; and

WHEREAS, the Census of Governments is the only source of comprehensive uniform statistics on state and local governments; and

WHEREAS, the Census of Governments data are used to calculate the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and to better understanding the current fiscal condition of America’s cities,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors supports the U.S. Census Bureau’s mission to produce complete and accurate data that meet the needs of America’s cities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors supports the U.S. Census Bureau’s use of sound scientific and objective methods to apply statistical samplings, conduct surveys, and collect preliminary and supplemental statistics; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors promotes the U.S. Census Bureau’s authority to collect data that provides timely estimates that inform America’s mayors in their decision-making; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors recognizes the importance of the American Community Survey, Economic Census, Census of Governments, and a number of other surveys and statistics to cities across the Nation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors supports funding for and robust implementation of the American Community Survey, Economic Census, Census of Governments, and other relevant surveys and statistics to cities across the Nation; and

FINALLY, BE IT RESOLVED, that the nation’s mayors urges members of Congress to oppose legislation that would make the American Community Survey a voluntary survey, as well as any bills that would eliminate the American Community Survey, Economic Census, Census of Governments, and other surveys and statistics relevant to America’s cities.