Washington, DC - Today, Dean of the United States House of Representatives, John D. Dingell issued the following statement on the 2010 Census figures:

“With the release of the 2010 Census figures and Michigan losing a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives based on the decline of population by 0.6 percent, today marks a new challenge for Michigan.  It is my sincere hope that as the maps are being redrawn, they are done so in a way that best serves the interest of Michiganders and not the interests of political parties.  In 2000 and other years, the maps have been outrageously partisan and indifferent towards what is best for the people of Michigan.  I hope that Michigan’s state legislature and all those involved with redistricting rise above the partisan fray and put the people of Michigan first.  Moreover, I look forward to continuing to work hard in the next Congress to turn around Michigan’s population loss as we fight to improve Michigan’s economy and bring new jobs to our state.  I am confident that we have already put our great State on the path to economic recovery with smart investments in Michigan, but there is still a lot of work to do.” 

“I want to congratulate Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke, Acting Deputy Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank, and Director of the U.S. Census Robert Groves on the successful completion of the increasingly daunting task of counting the residential population in the United States.  The Obama Administration was greeted with a U.S. Census Bureau near crisis, with cost overruns and a lack of citizen participation.  Yet, today, as Secretary Locke announced, the Census Bureau delivered the figures on time and under budget.  This is a significant achievement, and the Obama Administration and the fine workers of the U.S. Census Bureau should be commended.”

Today marks the release of the 23rd decennial census.  The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States. It is mandated by Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution and takes place every 10 years. The data collected by the decennial census determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives and is also used to distribute over $400 billion in federal funds to local communities.  The 2010 Census represented the most massive participation movement ever witnessed in our country. Approximately 74 percent of the households returned their census forms by mail; the remaining households were counted by census workers walking neighborhoods throughout the United States.

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