Rally 4:00-5:30 p.m. in parking lot of McCracken County Public Library.

Community Rally for 2010 Census Portrait of America Road Tour

March 3, 4:00-5:30 p.m. at McCracken County Public Library

 PADUCAH, KY— You are invited to attend a once-in-a-decade experience.  During the afternoon on March 3, one of the thirteen census vehicles traveling the United States and Puerto Rico will stop in Paducah at the McCracken County Library for the Portrait of America Road Tour.  To celebrate the Road Tour, the McCracken County Complete Count Committee has organized a Community Rally that will be held Wednesday, March 3, 4:00-5:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the McCracken County Public Library.  In case of inclement weather, the Community Rally will be moved to the atrium of City Hall, 300 South 5th Street.  This special event is designed to educate communities about the 2010 Census, encouraging everyone to complete the 10-question form when it arrives at their home in mid-March.   

The agenda for the Paducah-McCracken County Community Rally includes

• Police escort of census vehicle
• Pledge of Allegiance:  Paducah Tilghman Junior Navy ROTC Color Guard
• National Anthem:  Kendall Isaiah Washington
• Reading of Census Proclamation by City and County leaders
• Introduction of City and County school census poster contest winners
• Entertainment by the McCracken County District Gifted and Talented Choir and inspirational cheers led by cheerleaders from Heath, Lone Oak, Paducah Tilghman, and Reidland High Schools.
• Census goodie bag drawing
• Health screenings provided by Western Baptist Hospital
• Acceptance of canned food donations by Salvation Army representatives

The McCracken County Complete Count Committee includes representatives of the following agencies:  Housing Authority of Paducah, McCracken County Public Schools, Paducah Public Schools, McCracken County, City of Paducah, and the Census Bureau.  The committee was created with the goal of bringing awareness about the importance of being counted during the 2010 Census.  The Committee challenges every individual, organization, business, and media outlet to help spread the word about the importance of being counted during the 2010 Census.  The official Census Day is April 1, 2010.

The U.S. Constitution requires a national census every 10 years to count the population.  Every person living in the United States must be counted in the 2010 Census including people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, citizens and noncitizens.  The census data is used to determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Also, the allocation of more than $400 billion in federal funding is based on data collected during the census.  At the heart of the 2010 Census outreach effort is the 10-question 2010 Census form, one of the shortest census forms in history.  Households will be asked to provide key demographic information, including: whether a housing unit is rented or owned; the address of the residence; and the names, genders, ages, races and relationships of others living in the household.

 By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities. All Census Bureau employees take an oath of nondisclosure and are sworn for life to protect the confidentiality of the data. The penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both.###