WASHINGTON, D.C. - This weekend, Ranking Member of the Census Subcommittee, U.S. Rep Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), took advantage of President Bush's visit to the Democratic Congressional working retreat in Farmington, PA by asking the President whether he would make a commitment not to interfere with the use of more accurate, modern scientific methods in the upcoming census. President Bush responded, as did his Commerce Secretary-Designee Don Evans many weeks ago, by stating that he needed more information about the Census before he could answer Maloney's question.

"Given how important a fair and accurate Census is to all Americans, especially America's historically undercounted Black, Hispanic, Asian and American Indian populations, I am concerned that President Bush indicated he had not been briefed on this subject. However, I am pleased that the President indicated that he would be willing to talk with the professionals at the Census Bureau," Maloney said. "My colleagues and I from the Congressional Census Caucus are asking to meet with President Bush so that we may have an opportunity to exchange information about the Census. We look forward to working with the President on this issue," Maloney continued.

"Tomorrow, my colleagues and I will be sending a letter to President Bush, requesting a meeting with the President to discuss the Census. The letter will also urge him to tell the American people whether or not he will allow the professional experts and scientists at the Census Bureau to make statistical decisions," Maloney added.

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