The census is important because it determines …., in part, the distribution of morethan $400 billion a year in federal funds,…
In just three months, American households will receive the 2010 U.S.census questionnaires, and local advocates say it’s more important thanever for Hispanics to participate.
“Not just to be represented in a just manner or so funds will bedistributed equally for community services among all the cities andcounties, but because the following 10 years will be defined accordingto our participation or lack of it,” said America Gruner (Drop her a line), founder andpresident of the Coalition of Latino Leaders, based in Dalton, Ga.
The nonprofit organization is coordinating the Latino Complete CountCommittee, a coalition of interfaith and community organizations toeducate Hispanics about the census and to alleviate fears. Mrs. Gruneralso serves on the statewide Complete Count Committee.
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Hispanics accounted for one-half of the nation’s growth between 2000and 2006, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Projections showHispanics increasing from 4.7 percent of the population in 1970 to 24.4percent in 2050.