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Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke has named National Urban League President Marc Morial as chair of the U.S. Census Bureau's 2010 Census Advisory Committee, which provides advice on the design and implementation of the 2010 Census.

;"Marc has extraordinary experience in working with national organizations and advocating on behalf of diverse communities," said Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. "His expertise will help to ensure a complete and accurate count during the 2010 Census."

Twenty organizations are represented on the 2010 Census Advisory Committee, including data users and experts in the statutory and constitutional uses of decennial census data. The committee membership also includes ex-officio members representing the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

"The 2010 Census Advisory Committee provides important advice and guidance to the U.S. Census Bureau and we look forward to working with Marc Morial," said Census Bureau Acting Director Tom Mesenbourg. "His leadership and experience will be vital as we approach the 2010 Census."

Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League since 2003, leads the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. Morial served two terms as mayor of New Orleans from 1994 to 2002 and was also president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors from 2001 to 2002. He made Ebony Magazine's list of the150 most influential people in 2009.

The Census is mandated by the Constitution. The questionnaire for the upcoming 2010 Census will be one of the shortest in history: just 10 questions that will take only about 10 minutes to complete. All responses are kept strictly confidential. The Census data are used to apportion the seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Census data are also used to distribute more than $435 billion in federal funds each year.