On Saturday a broad coalition of local Sacramento, state and federal elected officials, community leaders and government entities held a press conference to make a call for Asian & Pacific Islander Americans to complete and submit their Census form. Speakers discussed the importance of a complete count of Asian & Pacific Islander community members in the 2010 Census.

Although this coalition’s efforts are targeted at Asian & Pacific Islander Americans, it is critical that all residents of our City and our region complete the Census. Being counted ensures our region receives its fair share of Federal funds. In addition, promptly returning the form, so that the Census does not have to follow up with us can save our Country hundreds of millions of dollars.

The coalition’s efforts are led by Asian Resources. The community organization has been at the forefront of Census outreach since the 2000 Census. They serve as the fiscal manager of 5 funded census partners and other community based organizations to outreach to the very diverse Asian & Pacific Islander community. ARI has partnered with various other organizations on coordinating press conferences, community forums and the 2010 Census Community Rally at the State Capitol. Asian Resources with Census Bureau officials will also be providing questionnaire services with Asian dialect translations throughout the months of March and April.

According to the 2000 Census, the Asian American population represents 6.6% of Sacramento’s total population and Pacific Islanders represent another 0.9%. These communities have one of the highest growth rates in the county and state. Sacramento’s Asian American communities have shown a 28% total population increase from Census 1990 to 2000 and Pacific Islanders grew by 57%. Due to their significant growth and the community’s history of being foreign born, linguistically isolated and limited in English proficiency; they have been undercounted in past censuses. Because of this, the U.S. Census Bureau and Asian Resources, Inc. to provide Census questions and answers and translation services for residents throughout March and April.