On July 9, Social Compact director of external relations, Jamie Alderslade, submitted oral testimony to the House Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives. The Subcommittee held a hearing on “Census Data and Its Use in Federal Formula Funding.”

Alderslade, along with Mayor Carty Finkbeiner of Toledo, OH, Mayor Robert Bowser of East Orange, New Jersey, and, Arturo Vargas, Executive Director of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, presented testimony to Subcommittee Chair Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay (D-MO), and members Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC), Rep. Diane Watson (D-CA), Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), and Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA) during the second part of the hearing.

Socia Compact’s testimony called for stronger partnerships between cities and the Census Bureau, and was warmly received by congressional members. The Subcommittee further explored Social Compact’s work—the DrillDown and the technical assistance to cities wishing to mount census challenges—through extensive questioning. Following the hearing, Subcommittee staff reaffirmed the importance of the relationship with Social Compact and their commitment to collaborating on a number of issues in the run up to the 2010 Census. It is likely that additional hearings will be held as Social Compact identifies new issues to be addressed.

The hearings can be viewed by clicking on these links: Panel 1 | Panel 2