Sept. 19. 2013

Lupe Flores

U.S. Senate Resolution Honors Hispanic-Serving Institutions

On September 18, the resolution to designate “National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week” passed the Senate by unanimous consent. U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and U.S. Senator John Cornyn garnered the bipartisan support of 19 cosponsors for S.Res.240 to recognize the achievements and goals of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) across the United States during the week of September 15, 2013.

HSIs are defined by the Higher Education Act as non-profit degree-granting institutions with Full-Time Equivalent undergraduate enrollments that are at least 25% Hispanic. An HSI Fact sheet published by the Office of Policy Analysis and Information at the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) indicates that of the 356 HSIs in 2011-12, 169 (47.5%) were public two-year institutions, 70 public four-year institutions, 99 private four-year institutions, and 18 private two-year institutions.

“I am proud to introduce this resolution recognizing Hispanic-Serving Institutions for their critical work on behalf of Latino students,” said Senator Menéndez, chair of the Senate Democratic Hispanic Task Force.

"The work that these exemplary institutions do every day is part of a broader economic and social imperative that will have serious consequences for the future success of our nation. That is why the bipartisan immigration reform bill passed by the Senate recognized the importance of Minority Serving Institutions by creating a STEM Education and Training Account which will boost funding for HSIs. I vow to continue working tirelessly to ensure that every child from any background--race, national origin, socio-economic--receives a quality education and has an equal opportunity to reach his or her full potential."

S.Res.240 was co-sponsored by 19 senators: Harry Reid (D-NV); John Cornyn (R-TX); Mark Begich (D-AK); Michael Bennet (D-CO); Barbara Boxer (D-CA); Chris Coons (D-DE); Dick Durbin (D-IL); Dianne Feinstein (D-CA); Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY); Martin Heinrich (D-NM); Ed Markey (D-MA); Senator Murray (D-WA); Bill Nelson (D-FL); Marco Rubio (R-FL); Charles Schumer (D-NY); Mark Udall (D-CO); Mark Warner (D-VA);  Dean Heller (R-NV); and Mike Enzi (R-WY).

Earlier this week President Barack Obama issued a proclamation designating Sept. 15-22 as National Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) Week.

A list of HSIs and emerging HSIs is available at www.hacu.net.

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