|
|
| |
|
|
The Honorable Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-California, 34th Congressional District
James T. Christy, Regional Director, Los Angeles Regional Office, U.S. Census Bureau
2010 Census: Making Sure Everyone Counts
Every 10 years, the United States is required by the U.S. Constitution to carry out a census – a concerted attempt to count everyone living in our country. When the first census was conducted more than 218 years ago, U.S. marshals on horseback counted 3.9 million people. Since that time, the most recent 2000 census revealed our great nation has grown to more than 281 million people.
So why is it important to keep track of this and other important demographic information collected by the census? The data are used to distribute congressional seats to states and to enable local, state and federal representatives to accurately identify the needs of our communities and nation and plan for our future.
The federal government alone allocates an estimated $300 billion every year in federal funds to state, local and tribal governments based on census data. These dollars are crucial for community programs and services such as education, housing and community development, health care services for the elderly, job training, roads and highways, business development and more. For example, the U.S. Department of Education uses census age data to allocate funding to states based on the number of school-aged children. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs uses age data to project the need for hospitals and nursing homes for aging veterans in our communities.
A precise count is critical to the future of Southern California. In addition to federal spending allocations, the data are used to make many local decisions about the location of schools, fire stations, retail outlets, businesses, and other community services. This is an important reason for everyone to fill out their census form immediately after it is mailed to their homes in March, 2010. The forms are due back to the Census Bureau by Census Day, April 1, 2010. After that, Census Bureau enumerators will begin visiting each household with outstanding forms to offer personal assistance. The bureau’s exhaustive efforts, by mail and in person, are crucial to fulfilling its ultimate mission of completing a timely and accurate portrait of our nation and its people.
The 2010 Census is quick and simple. Estimated to take only 10 minutes to complete, the census questionnaire is the shortest in history. It will ask only seven questions: name, gender, age, race, ethnicity, relationship and whether the householder owns or rents their home. When answering these questions, it is very important to remember that, by federal law, all census information is kept strictly confidential.
The census also brings opportunities for employment. To accomplish the massive task of taking a census, the U.S. Census Bureau will hire tens of thousands of workers throughout Southern California. Over the next year, there will be positions available for workers with a wide range of skills – from seasoned managers serving as executives to people new to the workforce. An essential part of getting a good census count is hiring local people to work in their neighborhoods. We encourage people throughout Southern California to read more about Census Bureau job opportunities at www.2010CensusJobs.com and help spread the word about employment opportunities with the census available now and in future months. It is never too early to highlight the importance of completing your census form. Some of the hardest to count communities are the ones that stand to lose the most by not participating in the census. Whether you can walk door to door to help others fill out the short form or simply take the 10 minutes to complete your own survey, every person in our country needs to take an active role in the 2010 Census. For the future of our country and our communities, we all need to be counted.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard’s multicultural 34th Congressional District in Los Angeles includes: Bell; Bellflower; Bell Gardens; Boyle Heights; Commerce; Cudahy; Downey; Downtown Los Angeles; Huntington Park; Little Tokyo; Maywood; South Park; Vernon; Walnut Park; and portions of Chinatown, East Los Angeles, Florence, Pico Union, and Westlake.
James T. Christy is the Regional Director of the Los Angeles Regional Census Center.
The Region consists of 19 counties in Southern California, which include Monterey County in the north to Imperial County in the south, and the state of Hawaii.
###
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CONGRESSWOMAN LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD (CA-34) ANNOUNCES FEDERAL FUNDING FOR MAJOR LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY PROJECTS INCLUDED IN THE YEAR-END SPENDING BILL PASSED BY CONGRESS
Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) is pleased to announce final passage in Congress of a continuing resolution spending measure that includes millions of dollars in federal funds for needed initiatives that she championed throughout the year for her district and the community at large.
“The Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act makes critical investments in America to ensure that we have the necessary resources to secure our nation, prepare and respond to natural disasters, and maintain the uninterrupted flow of important government services and functions,” Congresswoman Roybal-Allard said. “The measure includes three annual appropriations bills to operate important security programs in the departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and Veterans Administration. Among other important items for our troops, this package will address equipment shortfalls, supply quality training, and provide top of the line medical care to our troops.”
In addition, the bill funds the remaining agencies of the federal government through March 2009 to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of important government services and programs. It also includes disaster relief to help communities and families affected by recent hurricanes, wildfires, flooding and tornadoes.
Lastly, the measure contains critical local federal funding for a wide-variety of projects that address important security-related needs in the community. “The funds provided in this spending package will assist our communities respond to emergencies, prevent wildfires, bring about surgical medical advances and provide a Downtown venue for future generations to learn about the bravery of Asian American World War II veterans,” Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard said.
At the request of Congresswoman Roybal-Allard, the following projects received funding in the measure:
- $3,300,000 for University of Southern California’s Strengthening Military Social Work program. The funding will be used for the development of training simulations to achieve conflict resolution targeted towards the issues returning soldiers and their families often confront;
- $4,000,000 to construct the Go For Broke National Education Center and provide for the historical preservation of artifacts related to the Asian American veterans who fought in the 442nd Regiment during WWII. It will complete development around the Go For Broke Monument in Little Tokyo in Downtown Los Angeles;
- $2,400,000 for Cedars-Sinai Medical Center funding for a program called “The Operating Room of the Future at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.” The funding will establish a partnership between Cedars-Sinai and the Army to make improvements and innovations in mobile combat surgery operating rooms and how these medical technology advances might translate into other arenas;
- $175,000 for a law enforcement facility in Bell Gardens, which will enable the city to consolidate into one location their communications, intelligence operations, gang enforcement, and emergency response efforts;
- $50,000 to design, construct and equip an emergency operations center in Cudahy; and .
- $600,000 for vegetation management by the County of Los Angeles Fire Department in Los Angeles to lessen the threat of wild fire and reduce their intensity when they do occur by reducing brush.
The Fiscal Year 2009 appropriations measure (HR 2638), passed the U.S. House of Representatives on September 24 by a vote of 370 to 58 and was approved by the U.S. Senate on September 27 by a vote of 78 to 12. The measure now awaits the President’s signature.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard Applauds Final Passage of Resolution She Introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to Bolster Preventive Health Care in America
(September 24, 2008) WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA-34) applauded the final passage by voice vote this week (9/23/08) of a resolution she introduced expressing support in Congress for an “increased federal commitment to prioritizing prevention and public health for all people in the United States.”
Over 160 health advocacy groups endorsed the bipartisan bill (H. Res. 1381). The resolution calls for an increased federal commitment for disease prevention, based on evidence that shows prevention efforts can help reduce rates of many serious diseases and related health care costs. The resolution acknowledged the toll chronic diseases and conditions like obesity, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease take on America’s families and the U.S. economy. Chronic diseases currently account for 75 percent of health care spending and seven out of every 10 deaths in the U.S.
“Final passage of this resolution gives us an opportunity to send a clear message to the next Congress that public health and prevention must be an essential part of any health care reform package,” Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard said. “The entire public health community agrees that prevention is a critical component to successfully addressing our nation’s public health crisis and reining in the astronomical cost of health care. By investing in prevention, we can save lives and money.”
“Representatives Roybal-Allard, McGovern, Granger, Moran, DeGette, and Castle should be commended for their leadership and commitment to improving the health of Americans,” said Jeff Levi, PhD, Executive Director of TFAH. “Preventing disease is one of the most important ways we can cut health care costs and ensure that Americans live longer, healthier lives. During this time of economic crisis, investments that could help save the country money are more important than ever.”
America spends more than $2.2 trillion on health care annually, which is nearly three times more than in 1990 and over eight times more than in 1980. The resolution states that the best way to control these costs and give all Americans the opportunity to lead healthier lives is to prioritize common-sense preventive measures, such as increasing physical activity and promoting better nutrition.
The members cite recommendations from two recent studies on the impact of chronic disease. A recent report by the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease noted that the indirect health care costs of chronic disease, such as absenteeism, cost our economy $1 trillion each year. Yet, less than 4 cents of every health care dollar is spent on prevention and public health.
A new report by Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) entitled Prevention for a Healthier America finds that a small strategic investment in disease prevention could result in significant savings in U.S. health care costs. An investment of $10 per person per year in proven community-based programs to increase physical activity, improve nutrition, and prevent smoking and other tobacco use could save the country more than $16 billion annually within five years –. That is a return of $5.60 for every $1. And, a report by the Partnership for Prevention found that if 90 percent of Americans received five key preventive services, it could save more than 100,000 lives each year. These preventive services include increasing the number of Americans who take an aspirin daily, providing support for smoking cessation, screening for colorectal and breast cancer, and annual flu immunizations.
In addition to Congresswoman Roybal-Allard, original co-sponsors of the resolution include: James McGovern (D-MA-3) and Kay Granger (R-TX-12) of the Study Group on Public Health; Jim Moran(D-VA-8) of the Prevention Caucus; and Diana DeGette (D-CO-1) and Michael Castle (R-DE) of the Diabetes Caucus. These Members are all co-chairs of their respective groups.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dear Friend,
I'd like to hear from you! Periodically, I will reach out to ask your opinion on important issues facing Congress. I hope you will take the time to answer this quick survey and view the event information below.
Sincerely,
Lucille Roybal-Allard
MEMBER OF CONGRESS
CONGRESSWOMAN LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD (CA-34) INVITES THE PUBLIC TO A FORECLOSURE PREVENTION WORKSHOP
WHAT: U.S. Congresswomen Lucille Roybal-Allard and Linda Sánchez invite you to attend a free foreclosure prevention workshop. Learn more about foreclosure prevention and homeownership preservation. Credit counselors and lenders will be available for on-site assistance, one-on-one counseling, and information on viable options for your mortgage. Presentations will also be conducted on topics including: Understanding Your Mortgage Options; Fraud Prevention and Awareness; and Improving and Restoring Credit. Please bring your loan and other relevant financial documents to the event.
WHO: Co-sponsored by Congresswomen Lucille Roybal-Allard and Linda Sánchez, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), LA County Neighborworks Center for Foreclosure Solutions, the Los Angeles Neighborhood Housing Services, and the cities within the 34th and 39th Congressional Districts.
WHEN: Saturday, July 19, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
WHERE: West Middle School
11985 Old River School Rd., Downey, CA 90242
QUESTIONS: Please call (213) 628-9230.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
