Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke has named Dallas Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Pauline Medrano as vice chair of the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2010 Census Advisory Committee, which provides advice on the design and implementation of the 2010 Census.

     “Pauline worked on the 1980 Census and her background, education and work experiences will be invaluable to the work of the 2010 Census Advisory Committee,” Locke said.

     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,” said Census Bureau Director Robert M. Groves. “I look forward to working with Pauline and the rest of the committee to ensure a complete and accurate 2010 Census.”

     Medrano has served on the Dallas City Council since 2005. She is also a board member of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund and a member of the National League of Cities. A graduate from the University of Texas at Arlington, she worked as a crew leader during the 1980 Census. She remains actively involved in all aspects of the Dallas community.

ABOUT THE 2010 CENSUS

     The 2010 Census is a count of everyone living in the United States and is mandated by the U.S. Constitution. Census data are used to distribute congressional seats to states, to distribute more than $400 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each year and to make decisions about what community services to provide. The 2010 Census questionnaire will be one of the shortest in history, consisting of 10 questions and taking about 10 minutes to complete. Strict laws protect the confidentiality of respondents and the information they provide.

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