REV. BACHUS URGES LOCAL RESIDENTS TO PROMOTE THE CENSUS

Reverend Reggie Bachus, Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, is appealing to all local residents to fill out and return the upcoming census forms and to encourage everyone to do likewise. He points out that each man, woman, and child accounts for roughly $12,000 in funding for their community. In the 2000 census, it is estimated that less than 50% of the residents of Austin were counted. Across the country, African Americans are responding to the census survey at a 60% rate, compared to the 78% response rates for whites.
    The census helps determine funding for our community for education, transportation, social services, housing, health care, parks and recreation. It also determines our representation in Congress, the state legislature, and the city council.
    We are asking every church in Austin to participate in CENSUS SUNDAY on MARCH 28 by providing an opportunity to have census survey forms available and to set aside time for the congregation to fill them out.
    Census Surveys are being mailed out in mid-March and the official Census Day is April 1, 2010.
    We also urge everyone to join the Austin Complete Count Committee meeting weekly at Friendship Baptist Church, 5200 West Jackson Boulevard. The next meetings are Thursday, March 4, 6:00 PM; Thursday, March 11, 3:30 PM; Thursday, March 18, 6:00 PM; and Thursday, March 25, 3:30 PM. Join in the crusade to get everyone counted.
    For information on the Austin Complete Count Committee and what you can do, call Pastor Bachus at 773/227-8478.