On the Records: The Census. It's Happening.

This week, most mailboxes across Texas will get a notice from the U.S. Census Bureau. The message: Participate in the decennial count, which begins next week. 

In a letter to 120 million American households, the agency urged residents to complete the upcoming collection form. Here's the simple statement from the director, Robert Groves: 

About one week from now, you will receive a 2010 Census form in the mail. When you receive your form, please fill it out and mail it in promptly. Your response is important. Results from the 2010 Census will be used to help each community get its fair share of government funds for highways, schools, health facilities, and many other programs you and your neighbors need. Without a complete, accurate census, your community may not receive its fair share. Thank you in advance for your help.

The bureau says such reminders ultimately save money. For every one-percent increase in households that respond, the bureau says it saves about $85 million by not having to send workers door-to-door to collect answers on the 10-question collection form (the shortest in history).

Groves released a statement today announcing the mailer:

The advance letter helps people know that their 2010 Census form will be arriving soon ... It’s an important reminder about the impact the census has on our communities, that the census is important and that everyone needs to participate.

The advance letter also comes with the message printed in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Russian.