FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                    MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2002

                                
Mike Bergman                                                 CB02-158
Public Information Office
(301) 763-3030/457-3670 (fax)
(301) 457-1037 (TDD)
e-mail: pio@census.gov


                **CENSUS BUREAU MEDIA ADVISORY**

      Secretary of Commerce to Launch 2002 Economic Census

What:    Secretary of Commerce Don Evans will formally launch the 
         2002 Economic Census, which is conducted every five years. 
         About 5 million businesses will receive economic census 
         questionnaires shortly.
  
When:    Thursday, Dec. 12, 2002, at 2 p.m. EST

Who:     Don Evans, secretary of commerce; and C. Louis Kincannon, 
         Census Bureau director

Where:   National Press Club
         Lisagor Room
         14th and F Streets, N.W.
         Washington, D.C.

  For more information about this event, contact the Census Bureau's
Public Information Office (301) 763-3030.