20.116 A Resolution Recognizing the Importance of the 2020 Census
In the Year Two Thousand and Twenty
Upon the Recommendation of Councilor Gina-Louise Sciarra and Councilor Alex Jarrett
R-20.116
A RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE 2020 CENSUS AND ENCOURAGING
RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF NORTHAMPTON TO PROMOTE AND COMPLETE
THE CENSUS TO ENSURE A FAIR AND COMPLETE COUNT
Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Northampton, in City Council assembled as
follows:
WHEREAS the U.S. Census Bureau is required by the U.S. Constitution to conduct a count of the
population every ten years, and this count provides a historic opportunity to help shape the
foundation of our society and play an active role in American democracy;
WHEREAS the City of Northampton is committed to ensuring every resident is counted;
WHEREAS the City of Northampton includes hard to count communities, which are those that
face barriers to full and equitable representation in the data collection process, and that
historically have been undercounted;
WHEREAS the federal government recently decreased the time for non-response follow up to
the census by a crucial month and instituted a new deadline of September 30, 2020,
endangering a complete count;
WHEREAS this reduction of time is another attempt to impede the complete count by the
executive branch, as the former director of the Census Bureau, Kenneth Prewitt, testified in an
emergency congressional hearing on July 25, 2020 that “With approximately a third of the
population still to be counted, the President is sending a powerful signal that the 2020 census is
a partisan tool, greatly complicating the task of a census still in the field.”
WHEREAS this reduction of time is also coming in a census year with extraordinary challenges
for the door-to-door census operation due to the Covid-19 pandemic and because of fear of
divulging personal information and distrust of the federal government in the current political
climate;
WHEREAS despite the fear engendered and stoked by the political climate, it is completely safe
to respond to the census. The information collected by the census is confidential. Title 13 of the
U.S. Code prohibits the Census Bureau from releasing any identifiable information about
individuals, households, or businesses. The information can only be used for statistics and by
law cannot be used against someone;
WHEREAS census data plays an important role in the allocation of federal and state funding to
state and local communities, including funds for school lunch programs, education grants and
other child welfare programs, housing funds such as Section 8 vouchers, SNAP benefits,
transportation funding for highways; health benefits like Medicare Part B, and others;
WHEREAS census data helps determine how many seats each state will have in the U.S. House
of Representatives and is necessary for an accurate and fair redistricting of state legislative
seats, county and city councils and voting districts;
WHEREAS information from the 2020 Census and American Community Survey are vital tools
for economic development and increased employment;
WHEREAS a united voice from business, government, community-based and faith-based
organizations, educators, media and others will enable the 2020 Census message to reach more
of our residents;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Northampton is committed to partnering
with the U.S. Census Bureau and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to achieve a complete
and accurate count of all persons within our borders;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Northampton supports the goals and ideals for the
2020 Census and has and will disseminate 2020 Census information and encourages all
residents to fill out the 2020 census before September 30, 2020;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Northampton supports Partnership Specialists,
Census Takers and other U.S. Census Bureau staff as they help our community complete an
accurate count;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Northampton City Council encourages all residents to safely
participate in events and initiatives that will raise the overall awareness of the 2020 Census and
increase participation;