The U.S. Census Bureau released today the resident population of the United States, Louisiana and the other 49 states at a press conference today in Washington, DC. Census Bureau Director Kenneth Prewitt officially delivered the first report of Census 2000 to Commerce Secretary Norman Mineta at a 10:00 AM ceremony that was followed by a press conference.

The reapportionment process uses these counts and a formula prescribed by Congress. The apportionment population totals and number of congressional seats for each state are listed on the attached sheet.

• Clips of the delivery of the census numbers to Secretary of Commerce Norman Mineta, and comments by the Secretary.

• Video of the Washington press conference in which the official population figures are unveiled.

• Census Director Kenneth Prewitt explaining what these numbers are used for and making specific comments about the figures in Louisiana.

Each U.S. House congressional district represents an average of more than 600,000 people. Census Bureau Director Prewitt stressed that the apportionment numbers are based on what he believes is the most accurate Census count in the nation’s history.