The Census Bureau plans to conduct the
1997 Survey of Minority-Owned Business Enterprises and the 1997
Survey of Women-Owned Business Enterprises. They are the only
comprehensive, regularly collected sources of information on
business owners' race, ethnicity, and gender. They are conducted as
part of the economic census, which is required by law to be taken
every 5 years under title 13 of the United States Code (U.S.C.),
sections 131, 193, and 224.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.