Title
Proclaiming the week of September 14, 2020 as "Census Week" in Philadelphia.
Body
WHEREAS, According to the United States Census Bureau, "the Decennial Census is the once-a-decade population and housing count of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Island Areas as required by the U.S. Constitution. The results of the decennial census determine the number of seats for each state in the U.S. House of Representatives and are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts and to distribute more than $675 billion in federal funds each year"; and
WHEREAS, According to The Atlantic, "For most people, the census is a vague, decennial annoyance, nothing more." But in reality, the census is vital to the country's functioning. It's not just a count of all households or a measure of American characteristics. It's also an augur of political, economic, and cultural forces-a predictor and an allocator of power. In times of social upheaval-between political parties, whites and nonwhites, urban and rural areas, economic elites and the working class-the census can function almost like an umpire"; and
WHEREAS, Philly Counts 2020 is the City's effort to support the next United States Census. By working closely with community members and partners, this program aims to increase understanding about the importance of the census, educate the public on how to participate, ensure responses from the public for a fair and accurate count, and support filling census jobs; and
WHEREAS, Philly Counts 2020, along with the Philadelphia Regional Office of the U.S. Census Bureau and community partners, have been working tirelessly to get all Philadelphians to fill out the Census. Each household can respond to the Census in numerous ways: online, over the phone, or even at various in-person events in the community; and
WHEREAS, According to The Washington Post, "The Census Bureau had planned to continue knocking on doors, along with telephone and online...
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