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.