The National Association of Black Journalists put out this press release. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke will address the group, which is the "largest organization of journalists of color," at their annual convention. Below is a snippet from the press release...
Commerce Secretary Locke to Discuss First “Majority Minority” Census at Black Journalists’ Convention
2010 Census to Highlight the Growing Influence of Minorities in the U.S.
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) welcomes Commerce Secretary Gary Locke to its annual convention to discuss the ramifications of one of the most important censuses in U.S. history. The 2010 census will show that the country is on a path to becoming a majority minority nation. This unparalleled historic event will have wide-ranging implications including the impact on minority political power.
“Gary Locke has been charged with overseeing the counting of people in the United States at a crucial moment in our lifetime,” said NABJ President Barbara Ciara. “With this census, the evolving melting pot of our country reaches a new chapter, and minority voices will be strengthened as a result.”
Secretary Locke will lead a plenary, “The 2010 Census and a Majority Minority Nation,” on Friday, August. 7 at the Tampa Convention Center. This plenary will give NABJ convention attendees a first-hand opportunity to analyze this historic event with ideas for coverage on the Web, how to find and use census data, tools you can use to see how neighborhoods have changed and will change in the future and new ideas that will arise from the census.
“The census is about power and money,” said Bobbi Bowman, the 2009 Ida B. Wells Award-recipient and diversity director at the American Society of News Editors (ASNE). “The more people a state has, the more political power it gets.”
Governors and mayors across the U.S. will want to ensure that everyone is counted, including undocumented immigrants, in order to ensure more federal funds and, with them, political power.
Showing posts with label Gary Locke. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gary Locke. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Locke: Unlock the door to Groves' confirmation
Commerce Secretary Gary Locke urges House Republicans to end their blockade on President Obama's nominee to head the 2010 Census. See the AP story below.
Locke urges end to GOP block on census nominee
By HOPE YEN – 4 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — Commerce Secretary Gary Locke is urging an immediate end to a GOP block on President Barack Obama's nominee to lead the 2010 census.
Robert Groves, a veteran survey researcher with the University of Michigan, was easily approved by a Senate committee last month. But Republicans have stalled Groves' full confirmation vote for undisclosed reasons.
With the census just months away, Locke said in a statement Wednesday that the government cannot wait "any longer" for Groves' confirmation. He said the longer the delay, the greater the risk to the accuracy and success of the census.
Under Senate rules, a senator can hold up a nomination without going public or providing a reason. Groves is among roughly 30 Obama nominees currently in limbo.
Locke urges end to GOP block on census nominee
By HOPE YEN – 4 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — Commerce Secretary Gary Locke is urging an immediate end to a GOP block on President Barack Obama's nominee to lead the 2010 census.
Robert Groves, a veteran survey researcher with the University of Michigan, was easily approved by a Senate committee last month. But Republicans have stalled Groves' full confirmation vote for undisclosed reasons.
With the census just months away, Locke said in a statement Wednesday that the government cannot wait "any longer" for Groves' confirmation. He said the longer the delay, the greater the risk to the accuracy and success of the census.
Under Senate rules, a senator can hold up a nomination without going public or providing a reason. Groves is among roughly 30 Obama nominees currently in limbo.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Census News Roundup
From the Chicago Tribune: 2010 Census will be the biggest, most expensive to date... The Wichita Eagle in Kansas reports that 4 Kansas counties are majority minority...How does the Census work? The AP answers your questions... Longest serving Census worker prepares for the sixth and last count, reports the AP... Q&A with Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, courtesy Chicago Tribune...
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Locke appoints Morial to lead Census Advisory Committee
This just in from the Census Bureau...
Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Appoints Morial to Lead 2010 Census Advisory Committee
Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke has named National Urban League
President Marc Morial as chair of the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2010 Census Advisory Committee, which provides advice on the design and implementation of the 2010 Census.
“Marc has extraordinary experience in working with national organizations and advocating on behalf of diverse communities,” said Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. “His expertise will help to ensure a complete and accurate count during the 2010 Census.”
Twenty organizations are represented on the 2010 Census Advisory
Committee, including data users and experts in the statutory and
constitutional uses of decennial census data. The committee membership also includes ex-officio members representing the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
“The 2010 Census Advisory Committee provides important advice and
guidance to the U.S. Census Bureau and we look forward to working with Marc Morial,” said Census Bureau Acting Director Tom Mesenbourg. “His leadership and experience will be vital as we approach the 2010 Census.”
Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League since 2003, leads the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Morial served two terms as mayor of New Orleans from 1994 to 2002 and was also president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors from 2001 to 2002. He made Ebony Magazine’s list of the 150 most influential people in 2009.
The Census is mandated by the Constitution. The questionnaire for the upcoming 2010 Census will be one of the shortest in history: just 10 questions that will take only about 10 minutes to complete. All responses are kept strictly confidential. The
Census data are used to apportion the seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Census data are also used to distribute more than $300 billion in federal funds each year.
Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Appoints Morial to Lead 2010 Census Advisory Committee
Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke has named National Urban League
President Marc Morial as chair of the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2010 Census Advisory Committee, which provides advice on the design and implementation of the 2010 Census.
“Marc has extraordinary experience in working with national organizations and advocating on behalf of diverse communities,” said Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. “His expertise will help to ensure a complete and accurate count during the 2010 Census.”
Twenty organizations are represented on the 2010 Census Advisory
Committee, including data users and experts in the statutory and
constitutional uses of decennial census data. The committee membership also includes ex-officio members representing the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
“The 2010 Census Advisory Committee provides important advice and
guidance to the U.S. Census Bureau and we look forward to working with Marc Morial,” said Census Bureau Acting Director Tom Mesenbourg. “His leadership and experience will be vital as we approach the 2010 Census.”
Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League since 2003, leads the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Morial served two terms as mayor of New Orleans from 1994 to 2002 and was also president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors from 2001 to 2002. He made Ebony Magazine’s list of the 150 most influential people in 2009.
The Census is mandated by the Constitution. The questionnaire for the upcoming 2010 Census will be one of the shortest in history: just 10 questions that will take only about 10 minutes to complete. All responses are kept strictly confidential. The
Census data are used to apportion the seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Census data are also used to distribute more than $300 billion in federal funds each year.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Behind the scenes - a profile of Commerce Secretary Locke
From the NY Times...an interesting read. Enjoy.
Family Secrets
The new Secretary of Commerce, Gary Locke of Seattle, is a former Eagle Scout, prosecutor, and popular two-term governor whose idea of a good time is to crawl under the kitchen sink with plumber’s tape and a gob of grease. Just one week into the new job, he flew home to mow his lawn.
After reading the background file that the F.B.I. put together on Locke, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison characterized the latest member of President Obama’s cabinet with one word — “boring.”
But Gary Locke does have a family secret that is anything but eye-glazing.
Yes, he is widely known as the nation’s first Chinese-American governor, with a stirring family saga, as President Obama said in introducing Locke.
“Sometimes the American story can be told in the span of a single mile,” Obama said, referring to the distance between the place where Gary’s immigrant grandfather worked as a house servant nearly a hundred years ago and the Capitol where Locke was sworn in as Washington state governor in 1997.
Yet there would be no Lockes in America, no great story of the kid raised in public housing who went on to Yale and high office, no presidential kudos, if that same grandfather had not lied to get into the country.
Family Secrets
The new Secretary of Commerce, Gary Locke of Seattle, is a former Eagle Scout, prosecutor, and popular two-term governor whose idea of a good time is to crawl under the kitchen sink with plumber’s tape and a gob of grease. Just one week into the new job, he flew home to mow his lawn.
After reading the background file that the F.B.I. put together on Locke, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison characterized the latest member of President Obama’s cabinet with one word — “boring.”
But Gary Locke does have a family secret that is anything but eye-glazing.
Yes, he is widely known as the nation’s first Chinese-American governor, with a stirring family saga, as President Obama said in introducing Locke.
“Sometimes the American story can be told in the span of a single mile,” Obama said, referring to the distance between the place where Gary’s immigrant grandfather worked as a house servant nearly a hundred years ago and the Capitol where Locke was sworn in as Washington state governor in 1997.
Yet there would be no Lockes in America, no great story of the kid raised in public housing who went on to Yale and high office, no presidential kudos, if that same grandfather had not lied to get into the country.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Will Groves pick force Locke to contradict his testimony to Senate regarding statistical sampling?
...or, so asks Human Events.
White House continues effort to control Census
Having failed to move the operation of the 2010 census into the White House, President Obama late last week nominated as director of the U.S. Census Bureau the Michigan sociology professor Robert Groves, a fervent advocate of statistical sampling. That technique, which uses samples instead of actual counting, is easily manipulated and often results in the over-counting of traditional Democratic constituencies, especially minorities.
The data from the Decennial Census taking place in April of 2010 will be used to apportion seats in the House of Representatives and to disburse billions in federal dollars. Republicans are very concerned that the White House efforts to politicize the census will result in a corrupted count aimed to benefit Democrats. With Groves' appointment, their apprehension should grow.
Groves served at the Census Bureau from 1990 to 1992 as an associate director of statistical design, where he strongly advocated adjusting population numbers in urban areas to augment the number of people in these typically Democrat strongholds. The United States Supreme Court ruled this process unconstitutional in 1999.
Earlier this year, hyperpartisan White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel moved oversight of the 2010 Census from the Commerce Department to the White House. In 2006, then Rep. Emanuel revealed to USA Today the motivation behind the shift, “If you think redistricting is always partisan and political which it is… it’s going to be on steroids this time.” As outrageous as that maneuver was at the time, the president has now reinforced politicization of the process with his nomination to run the Census Bureau the man whose name is synonymous with exploitation of the census to reach political outcomes.
Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) sits on the Senate subcommittee responsible for census oversight. “A sampling process would open the census to the worst kind of political manipulation,” Coburn (R-Okla.) said. “The Constitution clearly requires a count of every person, not a best guess that could be influenced by political rather than empirical considerations.”
On Friday, House Republican leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) expressed concern about the Groves nomination. “Conducting the census is a vital Constitutional obligation,” Boehner said. “Its findings help determine how hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars are spent, as well as how the American people are represented in Congress. It should be as solid, reliable, and accurate as possible in every respect. That is why I’m concerned about the White House decision to select Robert Groves as director of the Census Bureau. … We will have to watch closely to ensure the 2010 census is conducted without attempting similar statistical sleight of hand.”
Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) serves as the ranking Republican on the House subcommittee charged with census oversight. “The fight to protect the accuracy and independence of the 2010 Census has just begun,” McHenry said. “With the nomination of Robert Groves, President Obama has made clear that he intends to employ the political manipulation of census data for partisan gain. Mr. Groves is a leading advocate for partisan data manipulation. In fact, his efforts to tamper with census results in 1990 are well-documented and were rightly rejected.
“This represents a reversal of recent White House assurances that it would not exercise political influence over the census. This move will force Commerce Secretary Locke to contradict his sworn testimony during his confirmation hearing. Secretary Locke made clear that the political manipulation of census results, or ‘statistical adjustment,’ would not be used in the 2010 Census. This alone should be enough for the U.S. Senate to prevent the confirmation of Mr. Groves.
“The partisan adjustment of census data produces a false count that does not address the undercount,” McHenry continued. “Furthermore, it is both unconstitutional and prohibited by federal law. The census is far too important to become a tool to wield political power. In order to uphold the law and protect the credibility of our country’s entire statistical system, we will take any and all action necessary to preserve the 219-year tradition of an accurate and independent census.”
White House continues effort to control Census
Having failed to move the operation of the 2010 census into the White House, President Obama late last week nominated as director of the U.S. Census Bureau the Michigan sociology professor Robert Groves, a fervent advocate of statistical sampling. That technique, which uses samples instead of actual counting, is easily manipulated and often results in the over-counting of traditional Democratic constituencies, especially minorities.
The data from the Decennial Census taking place in April of 2010 will be used to apportion seats in the House of Representatives and to disburse billions in federal dollars. Republicans are very concerned that the White House efforts to politicize the census will result in a corrupted count aimed to benefit Democrats. With Groves' appointment, their apprehension should grow.
Groves served at the Census Bureau from 1990 to 1992 as an associate director of statistical design, where he strongly advocated adjusting population numbers in urban areas to augment the number of people in these typically Democrat strongholds. The United States Supreme Court ruled this process unconstitutional in 1999.
Earlier this year, hyperpartisan White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel moved oversight of the 2010 Census from the Commerce Department to the White House. In 2006, then Rep. Emanuel revealed to USA Today the motivation behind the shift, “If you think redistricting is always partisan and political which it is… it’s going to be on steroids this time.” As outrageous as that maneuver was at the time, the president has now reinforced politicization of the process with his nomination to run the Census Bureau the man whose name is synonymous with exploitation of the census to reach political outcomes.
Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) sits on the Senate subcommittee responsible for census oversight. “A sampling process would open the census to the worst kind of political manipulation,” Coburn (R-Okla.) said. “The Constitution clearly requires a count of every person, not a best guess that could be influenced by political rather than empirical considerations.”
On Friday, House Republican leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) expressed concern about the Groves nomination. “Conducting the census is a vital Constitutional obligation,” Boehner said. “Its findings help determine how hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars are spent, as well as how the American people are represented in Congress. It should be as solid, reliable, and accurate as possible in every respect. That is why I’m concerned about the White House decision to select Robert Groves as director of the Census Bureau. … We will have to watch closely to ensure the 2010 census is conducted without attempting similar statistical sleight of hand.”
Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) serves as the ranking Republican on the House subcommittee charged with census oversight. “The fight to protect the accuracy and independence of the 2010 Census has just begun,” McHenry said. “With the nomination of Robert Groves, President Obama has made clear that he intends to employ the political manipulation of census data for partisan gain. Mr. Groves is a leading advocate for partisan data manipulation. In fact, his efforts to tamper with census results in 1990 are well-documented and were rightly rejected.
“This represents a reversal of recent White House assurances that it would not exercise political influence over the census. This move will force Commerce Secretary Locke to contradict his sworn testimony during his confirmation hearing. Secretary Locke made clear that the political manipulation of census results, or ‘statistical adjustment,’ would not be used in the 2010 Census. This alone should be enough for the U.S. Senate to prevent the confirmation of Mr. Groves.
“The partisan adjustment of census data produces a false count that does not address the undercount,” McHenry continued. “Furthermore, it is both unconstitutional and prohibited by federal law. The census is far too important to become a tool to wield political power. In order to uphold the law and protect the credibility of our country’s entire statistical system, we will take any and all action necessary to preserve the 219-year tradition of an accurate and independent census.”
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Commerce Secretary Locke on U.S. Census
In an interview with NPR, newly-confirmed Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke discussed his role as overseer of the 2010 Census:
In his new role, Locke is responsible for roughly 40,000 employees and oversees everything from the U.S. Census to National Weather Service forecasts. One of the reasons Sen. Gregg withdrew his nomination was concern over whether the Commerce Department or the White House would run the census.
The results of the census' population and poverty counts have become politicized over the years. Minority communities say they have been chronically and historically undercounted, which affects their representation in Congress and their eligibility for federal funding for all sorts of federal programs. Republicans say that changes to the current system would result in overcounting.
Locke says he has been repeatedly assured by Obama and other White House officials that the census director would report to him.
"But of course, as in past administrations both Republican and Democrat, there has always been consultation, communication between the Census Bureau and Commerce and the White House — as well as members of Congress," Locke says. "Commerce wants to know how it's coming along — as does the White House."
In his new role, Locke is responsible for roughly 40,000 employees and oversees everything from the U.S. Census to National Weather Service forecasts. One of the reasons Sen. Gregg withdrew his nomination was concern over whether the Commerce Department or the White House would run the census.
The results of the census' population and poverty counts have become politicized over the years. Minority communities say they have been chronically and historically undercounted, which affects their representation in Congress and their eligibility for federal funding for all sorts of federal programs. Republicans say that changes to the current system would result in overcounting.
Locke says he has been repeatedly assured by Obama and other White House officials that the census director would report to him.
"But of course, as in past administrations both Republican and Democrat, there has always been consultation, communication between the Census Bureau and Commerce and the White House — as well as members of Congress," Locke says. "Commerce wants to know how it's coming along — as does the White House."
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Locke confirmed as Commerce Secretary - third time's the charm, huh?
Gov. Gary Locke of Washington state was confirmed late last night as Commerce Secretary. Read more at the NY Times blog.
Locke was the third in a series of Obama picks for the post, but as they say, third time's the charm. (Note: Gov. Bill Richardson removed his name from consideration due to legal troubles, and Senator Judd Gregg withdrew his name citing philosophical differences between himself and Obama, as well as a controversy over who controls the Census.)
Locke was the third in a series of Obama picks for the post, but as they say, third time's the charm. (Note: Gov. Bill Richardson removed his name from consideration due to legal troubles, and Senator Judd Gregg withdrew his name citing philosophical differences between himself and Obama, as well as a controversy over who controls the Census.)
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Third time's the charm... or is it? Locke nominated for Commerce post
The National Journal reports that Obama has introduced his third nominee for Commerce Secretary--former Washington Governor Gary Locke. More details below...
Locke Introduced As Third Commerce Pick
By CONGRESSDAILY STAFF
Updated at 1:30 p.m.
Former Washington Gov. Gary Locke was introduced this morning as President Obama's nominee to head the Commerce Department. Obama has to be hoping the third time's the charm. His two earlier choices for the post, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., both withdrew.
"I'm sure it's not lost on anyone that we've tried this a couple of times, but I'm a big believer in keeping at something until you get it right," Obama joked at the press conference announcing Locke's nomination. "And Gary is the right man for this job." Obama went on to praise the country's first Chinese-American governor for his work wooing business to Washington state and for growing the state's high-tech economy. With this pick, the only Cabinet seat without even a nominee is back down to one: Health and Human Services was originally intended for former Sen. Tom Daschle, who withdrew his nomination after it emerged he had failed to pay all his income taxes.
Locke Introduced As Third Commerce Pick
By CONGRESSDAILY STAFF
Updated at 1:30 p.m.
Former Washington Gov. Gary Locke was introduced this morning as President Obama's nominee to head the Commerce Department. Obama has to be hoping the third time's the charm. His two earlier choices for the post, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., both withdrew.
"I'm sure it's not lost on anyone that we've tried this a couple of times, but I'm a big believer in keeping at something until you get it right," Obama joked at the press conference announcing Locke's nomination. "And Gary is the right man for this job." Obama went on to praise the country's first Chinese-American governor for his work wooing business to Washington state and for growing the state's high-tech economy. With this pick, the only Cabinet seat without even a nominee is back down to one: Health and Human Services was originally intended for former Sen. Tom Daschle, who withdrew his nomination after it emerged he had failed to pay all his income taxes.
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