This just in from the press office:
MAYOR NUTTER APPOINTS PATRICIA ENRIGHT TO DIRECT CITY'S CENSUS EFFORT
Philly Counts Aims to Boost Awareness, Participation
Philadelphia, November 3, 2009 – Today Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced the appointment of Patricia Enright to serve as Executive Director of Philly Counts, the City of Philadelphia's campaign to raise awareness of and participation in the 2010 Census, particularly in the city's hardest to count communities.
"The 2010 Census will have far reaching implications for Philadelphia and I am excited that Tricia has agreed to take on the enormous responsibility of spearheading our efforts," Nutter said. "She brings the experience, energy and creativity necessary to ensure that every Philadelphian understands just how important it is to be counted."
As Executive Director of Philly Counts, Enright will coordinate census outreach activities across City Government agencies and guide the outreach work to be performed by the campaign's various Complete Count Committees. Through these committees, which will be led by elected, non-profit, religious, business, media and other community leaders, Enright will spearhead a comprehensive awareness and outreach campaign designed to encourage all Philadelphians to be counted. As private dollars are raised to support Philly Counts's activities, the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania will act as its fiscal agent.
"Philadelphia has the finest network of trusted community leaders in the country," Enright said. "Through our Philly Counts campaign structure, we will energize and arm trusted messengers with the tools they need to reach each and every resident in our City. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of this extraordinarily important effort and for the confidence the Mayor has in my ability to get this job done."
The Census is a constitutionally mandated headcount taken every ten years of everyone residing in the United States and its Territories. Population totals taken from the Census are used to determine representation in Congress and redistricting. Census data also determines how hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funds are distributed to state and local governments each year.
Mayor Nutter will formally launch the City's Philly Counts campaign on November 10th, announcing its Honorary Co-Chairs, partnership committees and committee chairs. Under the leadership of Izzy Colon, the Mayor's Director for Multicultural Affairs, committees have already been formed in the LGBT, Interfaith and Latino communities.
Enright will bring years of governmental, campaign and communications experience at the national, state and local level to her new position. Before becoming Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director for the Mayor, she served as Transition Director and Campaign Manager for Mayor Nutter's general election, Campaign Manager for Governor Rendell's re-election, Deputy Campaign Director in Pennsylvania for the Kerry campaign, Communications Director for Howard Dean's Presidential campaign, Deputy Communications Director for the Gore campaign and Pennsylvania Press Secretary for Clinton-Gore's re-election. She served as Director of the Office of Public Liaison for Governor Rendell and Communications Director for U.S. Senator Tom Harkin. Enright also spent 8 years in the Clinton Administration, at the White House and HUD.