Come on down! 1:01 PM

It's official, we've just sent out our press release for our event and here is all the good information!

CHCI Interns to Educate Citizens on 2010 Census
Community Service Project Aims to Ensure All Latinos are Counted in 2010

Washington, D.C. – With the importance of the 2010 Census looming, the 24 members of CHCI’s 2009 Congressional Internship Program are conducting a community service project to inform and educate members of the Latino Community on the significance of being counted in 2010. The event, themed “Celebrate: Tu Cuentas,” will take place on Sunday, July 26, 2009 at the Bell Multi-Cultural High School Field from 1-5 p.m. Food and entertainment will be provided.

An accurate count in the 2010 Census is critical for the Latino community to ensure government adequately funds schools, roads, infrastructure, and other initiatives according to the community’s population and needs.

“This project will focus on the importance and urgency of the 2010 Census,” said Cristobal Salinas, Jr. a CHCI intern. “We are especially enthusiastic about educating the Latino community.”

What:
“Celebrate: Tu Cuentas”
Community Service Project on 2010 Census

Who:
CHCI Interns
Community Leaders

Where:
Bell Multi-Cultural High School Field
3276 Hiatt PL NW Washington, DC 20010

When:
Sunday, July 26, 2009
1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

KTUZ-TV on the 2010 Census 3:02 PM

For our Spanish speaking readers, here is a great video from Telemundo affliate KTUZ-TV that lays out why the participation in the Census is so vital to the future well being not only of Hispanics, but the entire nation.

La Voz Nueva on the 2009 Census 2:37 PM

2010 Census impacts Hispanic community | La Voz Nueva

The 2010 Census will have an immense economic impact the Hispanic/Latino community.

Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution states, “Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several states…according to their respective numbers.”

Today, the census determines more than just representation. It also determines the amount of federal funding State and County government agencies receive. As a result, elected officials have an incentive to maximize the number of their constituencies.

Hispanics number over 45.5 million with additional 3.9 million from Puerto Rico which make the count close to 50 million Hispanics. (Not counting the undocumented). Hispanics have a vested interest to be counted in the 2010 Census. Why? Because of the redistricting of political boundaries are dependent on the census count. The census data is used in order to insure fair representation and avoid gerrymandering. The census data will be critical in the next general election. The breakdown distribution of funds under the Obama’s economic 2009 stimulus plan, is based on the local population count.

Social programs are dependent on Census data for development of basic research on their clients. Small business uses the census data in their location and consumer market studies.

What can you do to insure that there is a correct count? Be sure to fill out the Census questionnaire when you receive it. Help family members to fill out the questionnaire and be aware of the economic impact the census is having on your community.

Boycott the Census? That's silly. 2:26 PM

The following is a great article that points out why there is no need for groups of any kind to fear the Census and that those calling for a boycott are ill informed and that following their message is actually a step backwards on the road to immigration reform.

Boycott the Census? That's silly. | Chicanísima

And this article from the Los Angles Times, which the former article summizes, also addresses this troubling issue.

U.S. Census sparks feud over the counting of illegal immigrants | The Los Angles Times

The decennial Census, which counts all people regardless of immigration status, is used to allocate federal funds for education, housing, healthcare, transportation and other local needs. By some estimates, every person counted results in $1,000 in federal funds.

We're online! 2:17 PM

¡Hola!

Welcome to the official webspace of the 2009 Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's Census Community Service Project!

This year's group of interns thought it'd be a great idea to take the impact of our community service project online and provide for all our visitors a resource of information related to our progress with the project and important elements of information related to the 2010 Census

We'll try and be generous with photos, videos, and intern insight during of planning process and beyond as work towards throwing our Census celebration and education party!

Below is a picture of the 24 young driven individuals, who on top of working during the week at their respective Congressional offices, have been up late many a night meeting and planning for the success of the event.

Keep an eye on this page through the month of July for more updates and information!