A concurrent resolution recognizing the importance and significance of the 2020 Census and encouraging individuals, families, and households across the United States to participate in the 2020 Census to ensure a complete and accurate count.

IV 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. CON. RES. 31 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DECEMBER 19, 2019 Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Recognizing the importance and significance of the 2020 Census and encouraging individuals, families, and house- holds across the United States to participate in the 2020 Census to ensure a complete and accurate count. Whereas the Constitution of the United States requires an actual enumeration of the population every 10 years, with the 2020 count beginning in remote Alaska in January 2020 and elsewhere in the United States in March 2020; Whereas the decennial census is a responsibility of the Fed- eral Government, mandated by section 2 of article I of the Constitution of the United States; Whereas any individual who wants to help administer the 2020 Census should apply at 2020census.gov/jobs; Whereas the goal of the decennial census is to count every person in the United States once, and only once, and in the right place; VerDate Sep 11 2014 20:53 Jan 03, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SC31.RFH SC31 2 SCON 31 RFH Whereas the goal of the 2020 Census is to eliminate the undercounting and overcounting of specific population groups, problems that were apparent in previous cen- suses; Whereas the 2020 Census is quick, safe, and easy to com- plete; Whereas, under section 2108(b) of title 44, United States Code— (1) the confidentiality of all personally identifiable information from the decennial census is protected from public disclosure for 72 years; (2) the Bureau of the Census is prohibited from sharing any personally identifiable information from the decennial census with any other government agency, in- cluding law enforcement and courts of law, or any private entity, for any purpose; and (3) the information collected through the decennial census is used for statistical purposes only; Whereas the decennial census is a cornerstone of the rep- resentative democracy of the United States, as the data collected through the decennial census— (1) is the basis for apportioning among the States seats in the House of Representatives; and (2) is provided to the States for drawing congres- sional and legislative district lines; Whereas complete and accurate census data will help ensure that resources for education, health care, rural develop- ment, workforce training, housing, transportation, and other matters are allocated fairly and accurately; Whereas businesses use census data to guide investment in job-creating initiatives, such as the building of new pro- VerDate Sep 11 2014 20:53 Jan 03, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SC31.RFH SC31 3 SCON 31 RFH duction facilities, and in choosing where to locate new re- tail and service outlets; Whereas, in 2020, responding to the census will be easier than ever, as the census form will be available online for the first time and households may choose to respond on- line, over the phone, or through the mail; and Whereas a complete and accurate census requires the fullest possible participation from all residents of the United States: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 1 concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that— 2 (1) it is the civic duty of the people of the 3 United States to help ensure that the 2020 Census 4 is as accurate as possible; 5 (2) the Federal Government, State and local 6 governments, civil society, businesses, religious insti- 7 tutions, libraries, and other national and local orga- 8 nizations should work together as partners to inform 9 the public that the 2020 Census is safe, easy, and 10 important; 11 (3) individuals who want to help administer the 12 2020 Census should apply for a job at 13 2020census.gov/jobs; and 14 (4) residents of the United States should plan 15 to respond to the 2020 Census to ensure that all 16 VerDate Sep 11 2014 20:53 Jan 03, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SC31.RFH SC31 4 SCON 31 RFH people living in a household in the United States, in- 1 cluding young children, are included. 2 Passed the Senate December 18, 2019. Attest: JULIE E. ADAMS, Secretary. VerDate Sep 11 2014 20:53 Jan 03, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SC31.RFH SC31