SENATE MEMORIAL 49

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2010

INTRODUCED BY

Michael S. Sanchez

A MEMORIAL

DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 8, 2010 AS "CENSUS IN SCHOOLS WEEK" AT THE SENATE.

     WHEREAS, our nation's and state's populations are growing and changing; and

     WHEREAS, an accurate and complete 2010 census count is vital to communities' and residents' well-being as it helps planners determine where to locate schools, daycare centers, roads, public transportation, hospitals and other facilities; and

     WHEREAS, more than four hundred billion dollars ($400,000,000,000) per year in federal and state funding is allocated to states and communities based, in part, on census data; and

     WHEREAS, census data help determine how many seats each state will have in the United States house of representatives; and

     WHEREAS, census data is used for the redistricting of state legislative, county commission, city council and other voting districts; and

     WHEREAS, the 2010 census creates jobs that stimulate economic growth and increase employment; and

     WHEREAS, the information collected by the United States census bureau is confidential and protected by law; and

     WHEREAS, the census in schools program will provide educators with resources to teach the nation's students about the importance of the census, so children can deliver this message to their families; and the program will engage America's youth to ensure that every child and every household member is counted in 2010; and

     WHEREAS, the census in schools program will commemorate the census with "Census in Schools Week" throughout the week of February 8, 2010; and

     WHEREAS, 2010 census job recruiting is under way and field operations will commence soon; and

     WHEREAS, census day is April 1, 2010;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the week of February 8, 2010 be designated as "Census in Schools Week" at the senate; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the goals and ideals of the 2010 census be supported through the dissemination of 2010 census information that encourages New Mexico residents to participate in events and initiatives that raise overall awareness and ensure a full and accurate census count and support census takers as they help communities complete an accurate count; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of public education, the secretary of Indian affairs and the secretary of state.

- 3 -