Contact: Leslie Phillips
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July 13, 2009

SENATE CONFIRMS GROVES AS CENSUS DIRECTOR

Nominee Approved by Voice Vote

           WASHINGTON—Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman, ID-Conn., and Ranking Member Susan Collins, R-Me., Monday applauded the confirmation of Robert M. Groves to be Director of the Census Bureau.  Groves was confirmed by a voice vote.

“I am so pleased that the Senate has approved the nomination of Dr. Groves and that the Census Bureau will finally have the leadership it deserves at this critical time,” Lieberman said.  “Dr. Groves is a brilliant social scientist, he has impeccable credentials and the Administration would have had a hard time appointing a better-qualified candidate to lead the Census Bureau.  The decennial census, a massive and costly undertaking, begins in just a few months.  Dr. Groves, with his extensive expertise in statistics, social research and survey methodology, is well-positioned to see this through to a successful conclusion.”

“The next Director of the Census Bureau must take steps now to address both current and future census challenges and will be responsible for ensuring that the Bureau fulfills its mission in accordance with the U.S. Constitution, without undue political influence, and with the careful management of the taxpayer dollars entrusted to it.  Dr. Groves is up to the task,” said Senator Collins.

Groves was approved by the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on May 20.  From 1990-1992, Groves was associate director for statistical design, standards and methodology at the Bureau and for the last eight years, he has directed the University of Michigan Survey Research Center.

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