Serrano Succeeds in Retaining “Other” Race Option on Census Form, Hispanic Organizations Applaud Action

November 22, 2004,
Washington, DC
—This weekend, Congressman José E. Serrano (D-NY) succeeded in inserting language into the Congress’ “omnibus” conference report that requires the Census Bureau to drop its controversial plans to force all Americans to choose one of five racial identities.  Cesar Perales, President of the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund (PRLDEF) and James A. Ferg-Cadima of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) were quick to praise the action.

“Millions of American Latinos do not fit neatly into one of the Census Bureau’s race categories,” said Congressman Serrano, the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the Census Bureau.  “I am happy that we were able to make sure that people have an additional option on the census form.  This will ensure that Americans are not forced to racially self-identify in a way they are uncomfortable with, and will produce census results that better reflect the realities of race in today.  More accurate census results will help policy-makers make better decisions.”

Serrano’s legislative language forces the Census to continue to give people the option of choosing “other” when filling out the census form’s race section.  This is important because many Americans, especially Hispanics, do not consider themselves to fit into one of the five racial options the Census Bureau currently gives on its form: White, Black/African-American, Asian, American Indian, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander.  The exact language in the bill states “That none of the funds provided in this or any other Act for any fiscal year may be used for the collection of Census data on race identification that does not include ‘some other race’ as a category.” 

"The Latino community throughout this country owes a tremendous debt to Congressman Serrano for his fight to assure that the next Census, in the year 2010, will accurately reflect its realities,” said Perales of PRLDEF.  “The Congressman, by demanding that the ‘some other race’ category be included in the race question has made an important statement. Bureaucrats at the Census Bureau have been trying to eliminate this important option for Latinos in order to unfairly force Latinos to choose between established categories that do not fit our realities. Although this is a low-profile technical issue that will not bring the Congressman the widespread accolades he deserves, he courageously took it on because he recognizes that it is important and will have an impact on how American sees Latinos for some time to come. The Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund applauds the Congressman for taking this position."

“Congressman Serrano showed real leadership on this issue, and MALDEF applauds his good work,” said Ferg-Cadima, MALDEF Legislative Staff Attorney. “We believe that the Census should reflect ’s demographic realities as best as possible, and by forcing Americans to choose one of those five racial categories, the Census Bureau was doing millions of Latinos a great disservice.  We are very pleased that Congressman Serrano was able to rectify the situation.”

The “omnibus” legislation that included this provision is the bill passed this weekend that funds the entire federal government for Fiscal Year ‘05, except for the Defense and Homeland Security Departments and the government of the
District of Columbia
.  These areas of funding were covered in other pieces of legislation that passed through Congress earlier this year.

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Congressman Serrano has represented the
Bronx
in Congress since 1990.  He is the only Member of Congress from New York City on the House Appropriations Committee, and serves as the ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee that funds the Commerce, Justice, and State Departments, as well as the Judiciary.