Sept. 9, 2011
Media Contact: Norma Jean Revilla-Garcia, (210) 576-3206

HACU Statement on American Jobs Plan

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) commends President Obama for introducing a proposal to stimulate our nation’s economy and to help increase American’s access to jobs. The new plan is expected to help put more people back to work by providing $450 billion in funding.

While the overall U.S. unemployment rate is 9.2 percent, the Hispanic unemployment rate is at a staggering 11.3 percent. “President Obama’s proposal is a step in the right direction to tackle our nation’s unemployment rate. I encourage Congress to improve it by adding a provision to provide workforce training funds to HSIs. The integration of this initiative in the overall plan can accelerate the President’s goal of putting more Americans to work,” said Dr. Antonio Flores, HACU President & CEO.
The proposal includes $30 billion to modernize existing schools. Of these funds $5 billion would go to states for distribution to community colleges. The money would be used for repairs, renovations, cleanup and improving the energy efficiency of buildings.

President Obama is expected to submit additional details about the package over the next few weeks for Congressional action. For more information about the President’s plan, visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/09/08/fact-sheet-and-overview.

While HACU will advocate including targeted funding to HSIs through this proposal, we also continue to fight any cuts to HSI programs in the FY 2012 appropriations cycle.  

For additional information about the jobs creation proposal, contact Laura Maristany, HACU’s Executive Director of Legislative Affairs, at lmaristany@hacu.net.