Educators Encourage Census Participation
WASHINGTON - April 01, 2010 -
The U.S. Census Bureau mailed or hand-delivered approximately 134 million 2010 Census questionnaires to households in March. To date, just over half of those households have mailed back their census forms. The 2010 Census is a count of everyone living in the United States and is mandated by the U.S. Constitution. Census figures are used to apportion congressional seats to states, to distribute more than $400 billion in federal funds to tribal, state and local governments each year, and to make decisions about what community services to provide.
The following statement can be attributed to NEA President Dennis Van Roekel:
“As the elected representative of the 3.2 million-member National Education Association, I often visit communities and schools that are struggling to provide the most basic public education to their students. Through no fault of their own, students are asked to learn in buildings that have fallen into disrepair, without textbooks or even working computers. The 2010 Census gives us the opportunity to do something, now, that can help change schools tomorrow. Ten minutes of our time today, could mean a lifetime of education for our students. The NEA asks everyone to fill out a census form and mail it back. Our children can’t afford to wait another 10 years.”
Whenever possible, link to supporting documents:
Follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/NEAMedia
# # #
The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing
3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.
CONTACT: Michelle Hudgins (202) 822-7823, email@example.com