English, Spanish P.S.A.s’ message focuses on making the entire Rio Grande Valley count in the upcoming decennial count
Texas Border Business
The City of McAllen recently partnered with the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council (LRGVDC) to film two public service announcements, one in English and one in Spanish, with mayors, municipal leaders, independent school district officials, county judges and even community leaders from throughout the entire Rio Grande Valley to encourage everyone in the region to participate in the 2020 Census.
“The census is not only about increased funding and representation, but accurately reporting our growing population draws more retail, business and industry to our cities and our region,” said Harlingen Mayor Chris Boswell.
The thirty second P.S.A.s feature: City of McAllen Mayor Jim Darling; City of Harlingen Mayor Boswell; Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez; Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr.; Willacy County Judge Aurelio Guerra; San Benito I.S.D.; Cameron County; City of Weslaco; Nedra Kinerk, Futuro RGV; Sergio Contreras, RGV Partnership.
As Census Day draws near, Rio Grande Valley leaders want to promote the importance of participating in the Census and its impact to the entire region.
“This message is especially important in our part of Texas: the entire Rio Grande Valley,” said McAllen Mayor Jim Darling, who also serves as president of the LRGVDC Board of Directors. “It is so important that every resident in Hidalgo, Cameron, Willacy and Starr County be counted, so that our cities and counties can receive the federal funds and representation that South Texas needs.”
Echoing that message is McAllen Chief of Police Victor Rodriguez, who in his role as the chairperson of the City of McAllen Census 2020 Complete Count Committee, wants to stress to the community that the Census is about counting everyone: Everyone Counts – Todos Contamos!
“It is important that a united effort from our community leaders and elected officials takes place to help make sure that every person living in the Rio Grande Valley is counted, because we all benefit,” stated Manuel Cruz, Executive Director, LRGVDC.
“Each of us are working within our communities to provide access and help residents to respond online to the 2020 Census; however, the message of all of us working together is so important for area residents to hear,” said Willacy County Judge Aurelio Guerra.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many local Census activities were postponed, including the distribution of these public service announcements, which were filmed the first week of
March. The City of McAllen decided to hold off on releasing the P.S.A.s until after the initial COVID-19 pandemic crisis had passed.
“We recognize that we are all now very much in a new normal in every aspect of our lives and we could not wait any longer to get this important message from our leaders out about the entire Rio Grande Valley participating in the 2020 Census,” said Xochitl Mora, Director of Communications, City of McAllen.
While the deadline to self-respond for the 2020 Census has been extended until October 31, 2020, Rio Grande Valley leaders know that the time is now to stress the importance and security of participating the 2020 Census to all persons living in the area.
“Fortunately, it is easier than ever to respond to the Census, with both online and over the phone options being able to be completed in English, Spanish, or a dozen other languages,” said Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr. “Most importantly, all answers are secure and by law cannot be shared with any organization.”
To learn more about the upcoming 2020 U.S. Census, visit www.2020census.gov or follow them on social media.
