source: BCCC & US Census

What is the United States Census?

1. The census is a count of everyone living in the United States every 10 years.
2. The census is mandated by the U.S. Constitution.
3. The next census is in 2010.
4. Your participation in the census is required by law.
5. It takes less than 10 minutes to complete.
6. Federal law protects the personal information you share during the census.
7. Census data are used to distribute Congressional seats to states, to make decisions about what community services to provide, and to distribute $300 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each year.  

Why should members of community-based and social service organizations participate in the 2010 Census?

1. Census data shape the future of your community and define your voice in Congress.
2. Census information helps determine locations for schools, roads, hospitals, child-care and senior citizen centers, and more.
3. Businesses use census data to locate supermarkets, shopping centers, new housing and other facilities.
4. Government officials use census data to allocate funding and grants to high-need areas and non-profit organizations.

Why are community-based and social service groups so important to the 2010 Census?

More than 140,000 organizations supported Census 2000, including community-based organizations, state and local governments, faith-based organizations, schools, media, businesses and others. Through partnerships, the Census Bureau has a far greater chance to reach every U.S. resident than by attempting this monumental task alone. As a trusted partner, you can convey the importance of the census, particularly to community members isolated by language or geography. For example, you can refer applicants for census jobs, include census information on bulletin boards and in newsletters, and provide space for census activities.

Burmese Complete Count Committee (BCCC)

Through an unprecedented collaborative initiative, the Burmese Complete Count Committee (BCCC) and the U.S. Census Bureau have committed to establish and sustain an effort that will ensure improved census awareness and participation. Your participation will ensure that our community receives fair and equitable treatment in social representation and community funding services for language assistance guides, public health, neighborhood improvements, transportation, education senior service and much more.

Currently, the Burmese population in the United States is unknown. Due to a lack of data collected by the year 2000 U.S. Census, the Burmese people have been neglected, over-looked, and hard-to-reach. As a result, both the BCCC and U.S. Census Bureau have formed a partnership to obtain a complete count for the Burmese (Myanmar) population and improve access to community resources that benefit the Burmese (Myanmar) American Community in the United States.

Burmese population in the United States is unknown. Burmese American Community and the US Government, in general, are interested to know a complete count of the number of people of Burmese descent is in the United States.

What does Burmese mean? Burmese in general means everyone who is a descendent from current Burma or Myanmar. According to this definition, all ethnic groups and tribes who originated from the country Burma or Myanmar are included. Definition of Burmese is different from Bama. Burmese is inclusive of Mon, Karen, Rakhine, Chin, Kachin, Shan, Lisu, Bama, Kayah, Palaung, Padaung, Pa-O, etc.

From US Census’s point of view, Burmese are neglected, over-looked, and hard-to-reach.  That put Burmese in the same group as others in our Burma’s neighbors such as Laos, Thais, Cambodians, and Malaysians.

2010 U.S. Census does not ask about the legal status of respondents in any of its census programs.

We need everyone’s help. Let’s work together to get a complete count for Burmese population in the United States so that we are properly represented in our new country, the United States of America. Please visit our website for updates on how you can contribute to the Burmese community in the United States.

Thank you,

Burmese Complete Count Committee (BCCC)

http://www.USCensus4Burmese.org 

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Attachments:

2010 US Census Fact Sheet for the Burmese American Community

[ ]

728 Kb