FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                  THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2000 
                                
Decennial Media Relations                          CB00-CN.17
301-457-3691/301-457-3620 (fax)
301-457-1037 (TDD)
e-mail: 2000usa@census.gov

                  "Sesame Street's" The Count 
              Takes Census 2000 Message to School

   "The Census Bureau counts everybody because everybody counts," Count
von Count, one of "Sesame Street's" brightest stars, told students at
Washington, D.C.'s Bruce-Monroe Elementary School today. The Count was
accompanied by White House Chief of Staff John Podesta, Secretary of
Commerce William M. Daley, District of Columbia Delegate Eleanor Holmes
Norton and District of Columbia Mayor Anthony Williams.

   "We are sending a message from "Sesame Street" to your street: we
want every person every kid, every parent, every grandparent to be counted
in Census 2000," said Podesta. "Getting our children to realize how
important it is to be counted in the census is a direct means to
communicate this message to their families."

   The appearance by the children's TV personality serves to bring
attention to the Census in Schools Program which will culminate March
13-17, when every teacher in the country will be asked to teach a census
lesson to their students. Teachers will use Census in Schools materials
supplied to them by the Census Bureau. The materials include grade-level
appropriate lessons to introduce students to Census 2000. So far, more
than 1 million kits have been sent to educators
 across the country.

  "The Census in Schools program provides a link between children and
their parents," said Daley. "The census touches each of us. By sharing
this message with their parents, children can help make Census 2000 the
most complete and accurate census ever."

   While mixed with light-hearted fun, Count von Count's visit
underscored the uses of census data in determining political
representation and in distributing about $185 billion annually.

   "Just as when I was a second grader at Bruce-Monroe, the first and
second graders assembled here today and across America are counting on
their parents and everyone who receives a census questionnaire to complete
it and mail it back," said Holmes Norton. "When you fill out your census
forms," added Williams, "you are doing a service for our young people. You
are ensuring that our city has enough classrooms, teachers and textbooks
to educate our children."

                              -X-

The Census Bureau needs the help of local residents to conduct Census
2000. Job opportunities include census taker positions in communities and
neighborhoods and office work. A large number of part-time positions are
available. For more information on census jobs in your area, call
toll-free 1-888-325-7733.

The Census Bureau guarantees that the answers given on census forms are
kept strictly confidential. Information collected in Census 2000 will
provide local area data needed for communities to receive federal program
funds and for private sector and community planning.