Video of Congressman Sherman in Action
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Brad Sherman announced that the United States Census Bureau will continue reporting and publishing Census data specifically for the San Fernando Valley after 2010. The Congressman, who led a community-wide campaign, pressed the Census Bureau to continue gathering and publishing the Valley Census data after the Census designation was threatened with elimination.
Data is collected regarding the 1.8 million persons living in the San Fernando Valley because the Census Bureau has designated it as a Census County Division (CCD). The Census Bureau uses the CCD designation to compile data for sub-county areas that are distinct enough to deserve their own statistical tabulation.
In April 2007, the Census Bureau announced that it was considering the elimination of some of the CCD designations. In response, last summer, Congressman Sherman and many Valley elected officials and organizations called upon the Census Bureau to continue providing specific census data for the San Fernando Valley.
“The Census Bureau made the correct decision. Continuing the compilation of Census data for the San Fernando Valley will help community organizations, businesses and government leaders make better informed decisions affecting the Valley’s future,” said Sherman.
“Many Valley leaders have used Census Bureau CCD information since it was first published in 2006. Mayor Villaraigosa and I relied upon data from the San Fernando Valley CCD report during a California Transportation Commission hearing. Using this data, we were able to show that Valley residents spend 7.4 percent longer commuting to work than the average Californian. In response to this Census data, along with lobbying efforts by Los Angeles officials, the California Transportation Commission approved funding for an additional lane on the northbound 405 freeway through the Sepulveda Pass, one lane in each direction in the Valley portion of the 5 freeway.”
Last year in a letter to the Census Bureau, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa stated that, “The statistics generated by the San Fernando Valley CCD are essential to effective governance… The work product of the San Fernando Valley CCD is widely known and used by all sectors of the Los Angeles Community.”
Bob Scott, chairman of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA), a leader in the drive for a Valley census, said the data will allow Valley cities to coordinate plans for their future, “We have worked many years to gain recognition for the 1.8 million residents of the San Fernando Valley. It gives us the information we need to deal with pressing issues of transportation, housing, education, healthcare and jobs.”
The Los Angeles City Council in a resolution stated that, “These geographic subdivisions are used extensively by local government, business and non-profit organizations in analyzing local communities in support of grant funding applications, business location decision, and an untold number of other efforts.”
The United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley told the Census Bureau, “(The Valley data) establishes the demographic information needed to achieve economic growth… Many businesses and non-profits use this information to help them receive more federal dollars for the programs and services they provide.”
Congressman Sherman wants to commend those who urged the Census Bureau to continue to publish Valley data including: the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors led by Supervisors Zev Yaroslavsky and Michael Antonovich, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles City Council Members Wendy Greuel, Greig Smith, Dennis Zine, Tony Cardenas, and Richard Alarcon, VICA, Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley, CSUN San Fernando Valley Economic Research Center and many other Valley organizations.
Data is collected regarding the 1.8 million persons living in the San Fernando Valley because the Census Bureau has designated it as a Census County Division (CCD). The Census Bureau uses the CCD designation to compile data for sub-county areas that are distinct enough to deserve their own statistical tabulation.
In April 2007, the Census Bureau announced that it was considering the elimination of some of the CCD designations. In response, last summer, Congressman Sherman and many Valley elected officials and organizations called upon the Census Bureau to continue providing specific census data for the San Fernando Valley.
“The Census Bureau made the correct decision. Continuing the compilation of Census data for the San Fernando Valley will help community organizations, businesses and government leaders make better informed decisions affecting the Valley’s future,” said Sherman.
“Many Valley leaders have used Census Bureau CCD information since it was first published in 2006. Mayor Villaraigosa and I relied upon data from the San Fernando Valley CCD report during a California Transportation Commission hearing. Using this data, we were able to show that Valley residents spend 7.4 percent longer commuting to work than the average Californian. In response to this Census data, along with lobbying efforts by Los Angeles officials, the California Transportation Commission approved funding for an additional lane on the northbound 405 freeway through the Sepulveda Pass, one lane in each direction in the Valley portion of the 5 freeway.”
Last year in a letter to the Census Bureau, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa stated that, “The statistics generated by the San Fernando Valley CCD are essential to effective governance… The work product of the San Fernando Valley CCD is widely known and used by all sectors of the Los Angeles Community.”
Bob Scott, chairman of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA), a leader in the drive for a Valley census, said the data will allow Valley cities to coordinate plans for their future, “We have worked many years to gain recognition for the 1.8 million residents of the San Fernando Valley. It gives us the information we need to deal with pressing issues of transportation, housing, education, healthcare and jobs.”
The Los Angeles City Council in a resolution stated that, “These geographic subdivisions are used extensively by local government, business and non-profit organizations in analyzing local communities in support of grant funding applications, business location decision, and an untold number of other efforts.”
The United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley told the Census Bureau, “(The Valley data) establishes the demographic information needed to achieve economic growth… Many businesses and non-profits use this information to help them receive more federal dollars for the programs and services they provide.”
Congressman Sherman wants to commend those who urged the Census Bureau to continue to publish Valley data including: the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors led by Supervisors Zev Yaroslavsky and Michael Antonovich, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles City Council Members Wendy Greuel, Greig Smith, Dennis Zine, Tony Cardenas, and Richard Alarcon, VICA, Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley, CSUN San Fernando Valley Economic Research Center and many other Valley organizations.
