The American Community Survey (6/01)

 

 

June 22, 2001

 

The Honorable Daniel Miller, Chair

Subcommittee on the Census

Committee on Government Reform

114 O’Neill House Office Building

Washington DC 20515

 

Dear Representative Miller:

 

I am writing for the academic Geographic Information Science community about the American Community Survey.  We represent over 70 colleges and universities across the country, plus we have a strong corporate affiliate membership.

 

            It is hard to believe that, in an information age, the United States’ data about its own people is out-of-date 9 years out of 10.  Most countries in the developed world take their census twice a decade; we do it only once.  Cites, counties, neighborhoods, universities and businesses must make do with obsolete information on which to base decisions that affect people, jobs, and communities.  It is as if a driver were told once an hour whether his or her car was centered in the lane; that rate of information delivery might have worked well in the horse and buggy age, but is inadequate for today’s rapidly changing world.

 

            There are three reasons why our constituents want current data:

Education We need to train students to be good decision-makers.  Good decisions require good information.

Research We are scientists trying to analyze and understand critical issues affecting American society.  We can do this job well only when we have good, current information.

Outreach Universities have a responsibility to serve the communities in which they operate.  Those neighborhoods and cities are in a state of flux that requires constant monitoring and feedback about new development and responses to projects and events.

 

            For these reasons, we support the concept of the American Community Survey as proposed by the Census Bureau.  In addition, we think that a continuous census will lead to efficiencies in taking the decennial census: e.g., better address lists, better public acceptance, a more experienced staff, easier processing, and quicker results.

 

            Sincerely yours,

 

 

Harlan J. Onsrud

President