By Larry Jones
May 25, 2009

Former USCM President Morial Appointed to Head 2010 Census Advisory Committee

By Larry Jones

Commerce Secretary Gary Locke announced the appointment of National Urban League President Marc Morial as Chairman of the U. S. Census Bureau’s 2010 Census Advisory Committee in a prepared statement on May 7. The committee will provide critical advice to the Census Bureau on the upcoming 2010 Census. The panel is comprised of representatives from twenty organizations, including data users, experts in the statutory and constitutional uses of the decennial census data. It also has ex-officio members representing the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate.

Commenting on the appointment, Locke said, “Marc has extraordinary experience in working with national organizations and advocating on behalf of diverse communities. His expertise will help to ensure a complete and accurate count.” Acting Census Bureau Director Tom Mesenbourg also said the advisory panel “provides important advice and guidance to the U.S. Census Bureau and we look forward to working with Marc Morial. His leadership and experience will be vital as we approach the 2010 Census.”

The questionnaire that the Bureau plans to use in the 2010 Census will be one of the shortest in U.S. history, consisting of ten questions, which should only take about ten minutes to complete. Mayors have always been interested in achieving a complete and accurate count of every individual in every community. Understanding the importance of the census, mayors will work very closely with the Bureau to urge everyone to fill out and return the questionnaire. Census data are used to apportion seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and to distribute more than $300 billion annually in federal funds to state and local governments.

Before serving as president and CEO of the National Urban League, the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights organization, Morial served two terms as mayor of New Orleans from 1994 to 2002. During that time, he was very active in The U.S. Conference of Mayors, where he headed a number of committees and task forces. And in 2001, he was elected Conference President and served through the Spring of 2002.