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by Murrel Bland
Article One, Section Two of the U.S. Constitution empowers Congress to carry out a census in “such manner as they shall by Law direct.” The first census was carried out by U.S. marshals in 1790 when there 3,929,214 persons in the United States.
Alan Organ, a partnership specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau, explained this fact and other information Friday morning, Nov. 9, at a meeting of about 25 members of the Legislative Committee of the Kansas City, Kansas, Area Chamber of Commerce. Organ said that it will be important for everyone to be counted and urged chamber members to cooperate with the Census Bureau.
Organ, a medical doctor who taught at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, said he has met with Mayor David Alvey and the mayor has assured him of his cooperation. The mayor has appointed Gordon Criswell, an assistant county administrator, to assist in this effort.
Organ said he is working with other community organizations including El Centro and faith-based entities.
One of the main reasons that it is important that every person is counted is that the census data is used in distributing federal funds. Those funds for fiscal year 2015 for Kansas totaled more than $4.4 billion, according to a report from the George Washington University Institute for Public Policy. Those funds came from several federal departments including Health and Human Services, Transportation, Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development and Education.
Organ said census forms will be mailed to everyone’s home. If the form is not returned, a census worker will follow up to get the form. It is estimated that by Census Day, April 1, 2020, there will be about 350 million persons in the United States. The 2010 census counted 308,745,538 persons.
The Census Bureau is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. It has several temporary jobs including recruiting assistants, clerks, field supervisors and census takers. A typical job pays about $33,000 a year. Persons interested in applying for a job may telephone 1-855-562-2020.
Murrel Bland is the former editor of The Wyandotte West and The Piper Press. He is the executive director of Business West.