2010 Census

Dear Friends--

The 2010 Census is around the corner and as Representative of Mississippi’s Second Congressional district I am committed to making sure that every Mississippian is counted!  As you know, the Census is conducted every 10 years and counts every person residing in the United States.  The 2010 census will be the deciding factor in the distribution of more than $400 billion dollars in federal funds each year.

In 2000, the United States Census Bureau spent more than 6 billion dollars to conduct a count that estimated 281 million people as residents of the United States. Though the population numbers were high, the Bureau failed to count an estimated 6.4 million U.S. citizens; a vast number being minorities, children, and people of very low socio-economic status.  As a result, 35,000 Mississippians were not counted in the 2000 Census and more than $100 million dollars in federal funds were forfeited.    

As you are aware, Mississippi is one of the poorest and most underserved states in the country and depends heavily on federal funding that is often determined solely on socio-economic conditions.  Mississippi is at or near the top of every indicator that classifies it as poverty level and with the current economic climate throughout the country, undoubtedly, we understand that there is a significant need for economic stimulation in this state.  For all intents and purposes, achieving an accurate count will create new jobs, encourage and assist in supporting and diversifying small businesses in the state and subsequently ensure each Mississippian will have a better quality of life.

In March 2010, the Census questionnaire will be mailed to every residence in the United States.  When you receive your form from the Census Bureau, answer the 10 short questions and mail the form back.  It only takes 10 minutes to guarantee that your community will receive federal funds to build and improve hospitals and schools and provide quality community and social service programs. 

To learn more about the 2010 Census, temporary job opportunities and how local elected officials, non-profit organizations, community leaders, schools, churches and YOU can participate in the 2010 census, please visit http://benniethompson.house.gov/ or http://www.census.gov/.

Keep the Faith!!!



Sincerely,

Bennie G. Thompson
Member of Congress

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Links:

About the Census

Employment Opportunities

Preparing for the Census

Partnerships

Count Committees

Census in the Schools

2010 Census Contact Information