FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                    WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2000

Decennial Media Relations                           CB00-CS.29
301-457-3691/301-457-3620 (fax)
301-457-1037 (TDD)
e-mail: 2000usa@census.gov
                                 
      Statement of Census Bureau Director Kenneth Prewitt
  On AP Story Regarding Census Event for Minority Populations

  "The Census Bureau did not host an event at the Democratic National
Convention.

  The Census Bureau was an exhibitor and provided census information at a
public event held at the University of Southern California regarding
issues confronting minority communities.  This event took place on August
12, prior to the beginning of the Democratic National Convention in Los
Angeles. African Americans, Hispanics and Asians have historically been
undercounted in the decennial census and the Census Bureau has put forth
special efforts to educate the public about this differential undercount,
with the full support and encouragement of the U.S. Congress.

  The Census Bureau partnered with more than 140,000 community-based
organizations, state, local and tribal governments, businesses and the
media to promote Census 2000.  All partners are authorized and encouraged
to use the Census 2000 logo.  They may also request census partnership
staff at their public events to promote census awareness and distribute
census data.

  On behalf of the career professionals at the Census Bureau who work
strenuously at their non-partisan mission of collecting and disseminating
census data, I deeply regret that anyone would mischaracterize a proper
effort to communicate census information to the American public."