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Cuellar calls for meeting to ensure local communities get necessary advertising for 2010 Census

Washington, DC – Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) on Tuesday met with Census Bureau Director Robert M. Groves to discuss how the 2010 Census will advertise and conduct outreach efforts along the border in Texas. The majority of South Texas counties are considered “hard to count” areas where past Census participation ranks well below the national average.

“These ‘hard to count’ communities will be among the most important to penetrate during the 2010 Census this April,” said Congressman Cuellar. “I had serious questions about how effectively the Census Bureau was advertising the 2010 Census along the border. As a result of yesterday’s meeting we now have a contingency plan set in place.” 

Beginning March 19, Congressman Cuellar will receive a daily report from the Census Bureau of how many Census forms are being returned via mail from the border region. If Census participation is lacking in certain areas, Director Groves says the Census will consider using additional funds for local outreach efforts.

Director Groves also agreed Tuesday to visit the border region, including the colonias, in advance of the 2010 Census with Congressman Cuellar. Groves visited colonias near McAllen in 2009.

Congressman Cuellar is the only Hispanic and Texas member on the House Subcommittee on Information, Policy, Census and National Archives. Two weeks ago, Cuellar requested from the Census official reports on how the 2010 Census would be advertised throughout the nation.

A variety of national television, local radio, newspaper and local television advertisements will be visible throughout McAllen, Laredo, El Paso, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin and Houston media markets. However, some local counties (including Webb, Zapata and Jim Hogg) will not see local television advertising.

“Our local media partners are the primary resources for information in our communities,” said Congressman Cuellar. “That’s why it’s important for the 2010 Census to use our local media as the primary vehicle to carry their message.”

This March, more than 130 million addresses across the nation will receive a Census questionnaire in the mail. One of the shortest Census forms in history, the 2010 Census asks 10 questions and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.

 The Census is conducted once every decade and influences how more than $400 billion per year in federal funding is distributed to state, local and tribal governments based on the number of people living in each locality.