R 185

2019 -- H 5939 Enacted 04/02/2019

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

RECOGNIZING AND ADVOCATING SUPPORT FOR THE "CENSUS DAY OF ACTION" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Williams, Alzate, Walsh, Barros, and Almeida

Date Introduced: April 02, 2019

WHEREAS, April 1, 2019, marks one year until the 2020 Census; and

WHEREAS, The 2020 Census will be critically important to the future of Rhode Island

and even a minor undercount would have dire implications that would last for at least a decade;

and

WHEREAS, Federal funds are disbursed based on population which is determined by the

Census, and include funding for healthcare, infrastructure, housing, rural communities, and local

municipalities; and

WHEREAS, One third of Rhode Island's state budget is comprised of those federal

dollars; and

WHEREAS, In addition, if initial estimates on Rhode Island's population figures hold

true, the state is projected to lose one of its two United States House seats, which will critically

impede Rhode Island's ability to ensure fair political representation in Washington; and

WHEREAS, One of the concerns to ensuring a fair and accurate count in the 2020

Census for Rhode Island is that there are significant numbers of groups considered “hard to

count,” including immigrants who may or may not have legal status, non-fluent English speakers,

low-income and homeless people, racial and ethnic minorities, and young people; and

WHEREAS, It is vital that all avenues of access to accomplishing a comprehensive and

inclusive Census be pursued by businesses, media outlets, community organizations, and state

and local agencies; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby recognizes and supports the "Census Day of Action" and the

outreach efforts of local governments and community based organizations, particularly those with

connections to traditionally hard to count and undercounted communities; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies, of this resolution to the Honorable Gina Raimondo, Governor of

the State of Rhode Island, and the Honorable Nellie M. Gorbea, Secretary of State.

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LC002267

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