Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) convened a meeting at the Bell Community Center of religious leaders in the community and representatives of faith-based institutions to discuss the importance of the 2010 Census and urge their support in garnering public participation in the census. Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard encouraged the clergy leadership, including Father Alfonso Amezcua (pictured) of Immaculate Conception Church in Downtown Los Angeles, to partner with the Census Bureau to assure that everyone in the community is counted. 

The congresswoman made the following remarks:  “Each year the federal government allocates more than $400 billion in federal money to support our local schools, our highways and roads, our senior citizen centers, job training programs, health programs, and community centers like the one we are in today. 

In the 2000 Census our Southeast communities had a large undercount and as a result of that undercount our communities lost millions of dollars that could have improved the quality of life of those we serve through badly needed services and programs for our 34th Congressional District.

The reason for that loss is that no matter how great the need of our constituents, if they are not counted in the Census, as far as the federal government is concerned they simply do not exist.

Given the tremendous needs of our communities we simply cannot afford to let that happen again.

I have asked you to be here this morning because as men and women of God you have the trust and the respect of our community.

This is particularly important given the fact that our community is a largely immigrant community and for many reasons fear and distrust our government. 

You are the ideal messengers to inform our communities effectively about the importance of the census and the fact that participation in the census is safe, secure, confidential and easy.

The information one provides to the Census Bureau cannot be used for any purpose other than to determine the population and demographics of our country.

The Census Bureau and census workers are forbidden under penalty of law to share any information with any federal, state or local agency or with any other person.

It doesn’t matter whether you are a U.S. Citizen or undocumented immigrant, everyone’s information is protected.

In order to help you become a Census Partner, I have invited employees from the Census Bureau to answer your questions and to provide you with materials about the Census and suggestions on how you can have your own Census Day, and Census employment opportunities you can share with your community members.

I look forward to working with all of you to spread the word on how an accurate Census count benefits our community enormously.”