Whereas, An accurate census count is vital to our community and residents’ well-being by helping planners determine where to locate schools, day-care centers, roads and public transportation, hospitals and other facilities, and is used to make decisions concerning business growth and housing needs; and

Whereas, more than $300 billion per year in federal and state funding is allocated to states and communities based on census data; and

Whereas, census data ensure fair Congressional representation by determining how many seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives as well as the redistricting of state legislatures, county and city councils, and voting districts; and

Whereas, the 2010 Census creates jobs that stimulate economic growth and increase employment opportunities in our community; and

Whereas, Mayor-Elect Sam Adams has pledged to carry this partnership forward into his term of office beginning January, 2009; and

Whereas, the information collected by the census is protected by law and remains confidential for 72 years;

Now, therefore, I, Tom Potter, Mayor of the City of Portland, Oregon, the “City of Roses,” do hereby proclaim on this day, December 4, 2008 that the City of Portland is committed to partnering with the U.S. Census Bureau to help ensure

A Full and Accurate Count

In 2010.