EXECUTIVE ORDER
08-34

Whereas, the United States Census of Population is a critical component of our nation's democratic society; and

Whereas, the United States Census of Population is used to apportion seats in the United States House of Representatives; and

Whereas, the state of Missouri faces the possible loss of a seat in the United States House of Representatives based on Missouri's population counts relative to those of all other states; and

Whereas, federal funds vital to Missourians are distributed based on population counts collected during the United States Census of population; and

Whereas, the United States Census Bureau encourages all states to form a Complete Count Committee whose goal shall be to heighten awareness about the 2010 Census and encourage the populace to participate in the United States Census of Population; and

Whereas, I am committed to ensuring Missouri has an accurate count of its citizens during the 2010 Census.

Now, Therefore, I, Matt Blunt, Governor of the State of Missouri, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the state of Missouri, do hereby order the establishment of a Complete Count Committee.

  1. The committee is charged with heightening Missouri's awareness of the 2010 Census, encouraging participation in the process and working to ensure that every resident is counted.
  2. The committee will be chaired by the Lieutenant Governor.
  3. No more than 30 additional members will be appointed by the Governor. Additional appointments will represent Missouri's diverse population. Membership on the committee will be bipartisan and representative of the state. The State Demographer shall be one of the members.
  4. The Governor will, whenever possible, appoint members who have interaction with Complete Count Committees that have been, or will be, established at the local or sub-state level.
  5. The committee shall begin work on an action plan soon after its formation that will identify specific areas or groups within Missouri, which are isolated geographically, linguistically, racially, culturally, or otherwise, that may be hard to enumerate. The plan also should identify strategies to overcome recognized barriers; develop campaigns targeted towards the identified areas or groups, which will build awareness of Census 2010; and encourage cooperation with enumerators.
  6. The chair, in consultation with the Governor, will decide if the committee will have subcommittees. The purpose of each subcommittee will be to help the committee better effect its mission on a particular geographic region of group of citizens within the state of Missouri
  7. The committee members shall not be compensated for their services other than reimbursement of costs directly associated with the execution of their duties, subject to appropriation.
  8. The committee is authorized to submit requests for appropriations necessary to carry out its charge.
  9. The committee shall fulfill this charge in the most cost-effective manner possible.
  10. Staff support will be provided by the Lt. Governor and Office of Administration.
  11. The committee shall meet at least quarterly until March 31, 2010, and as often as is required thereafter to complete this charge.
  12. Wherever possible, the committee should coordinate its efforts with those of the United States Bureau of the Census and Complete Count Committees established at the local or sub-state level.
  13. The committee shall submit a final report to the Governor summarizing its activities and suggesting improvements to Missouri's Complete Count Committee for Census 2020.

The committee will complete its work and submit its final report by June 30, 2011.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson, on this 21st day of October, 2008.

[Matt Blunt's signature]
Matt Blunt
Governor

ATTEST:

[Robin Carnahan's signature]
Robin Carnahan
Secretary of State

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