Civil Rights Coalition Supports Expected Nomination of Groves to Head 2010 Census

“The civil rights community is pleased that the White House is expected to nominate Dr. Robert Groves to head the Census bureau.  Dr. Groves is one of the nation’s most respected survey methodologists and a leading authority on the issue of non-response in surveys. 

Dr. Groves’ scientific and management expertise and professionalism in this area is sorely needed given the many challenges the 2010 Census will be facing, including a general distrust of the government in a post 9/11 world, concerns about privacy, language barriers,  displacement due to the economic downturn and natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina.

Dr. Groves is well-known in the Bureau – he served as its associate director from 1990 to 1992 – an advantage that will be useful in overcoming the technological glitches that have put the preparations for the 2010 count behind schedule.

Highly regarded by his peers – he was president of the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and has won many of its awards – his focus will be on reducing errors and making sure that the 2010 Census count is both accurate and inclusive – critical since the ten-year national head count provides the basis for federal dollar distribution not just for 2010, but for the following decade.

Given the importance of having a permanent director to lead this massive, roughly $15 billion effort, it is unfortunate that some have chosen to play the usual partisan politics.  They should instead be focused on ensuring that there is an inclusive and accurate count of all Americans so that the nation can accurately plan for its future.”