Haley Stevens: “I thank Senator Inouye for joining me today in introducing an important piece of legislation, the Full Equality for…”

“I thank Senator Inouye for joining me today in introducing an important piece of legislation, the Full Equality for Americans Abroad Act. This legislation directs the Secretary of Commerce to ensure that all American citizens living abroad be included in each future decennial census for the purposes of the tabulations required for the apportionment of Representatives in Congress. The Secretary of Commerce will report its findings to Congress no later than September 30, 2002. Americans living abroad play an important role in shaping the World's view of our country. As the trade becomes more and more global, Americans living abroad will have an even larger role in the exports overseas that help our Nation's economy. They vote and pay taxes in the United States, yet they are not included in the census. They spread the seeds of democracy in areas throughout the world and help to promote the value of freedom that Americans hold so dear. We count the men and women of the Armed Services and other government employees who serve this country abroad, it is time that we count private citizens living abroad as well. I commend Representative Gilman for his work on this issue in the House and look forward working with my colleagues in the Senate to pass this important legislation.”