[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1432 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1432

    Honoring the State of New Mexico on the passage of the Hispanic 
                             Education Act.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 10, 2010

Mr. Heinrich submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                  the Committee on Education and Labor

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Honoring the State of New Mexico on the passage of the Hispanic 
                             Education Act.

Whereas Hispanic culture has significantly impacted the State of New Mexico's 
        history and made it what it is today;
Whereas 56 percent of the student population in New Mexico is Hispanic;
Whereas nearly half of Hispanic students in New Mexico do not graduate from high 
        school;
Whereas nationally, only 57 percent of Hispanics age 25 and older graduate high 
        school compared to 85 percent of non-Hispanics;
Whereas 40 percent of Hispanics age 25 and older in New Mexico have not 
        completed high school, compared to 14 percent of non-Hispanics;
Whereas only 43 percent of Hispanic students graduate high school at or above 
        proficiency in reading;
Whereas only 25 percent of Hispanic students graduate high school at or above 
        proficiency in mathematics;
Whereas to address these education disparities in New Mexico, the Hispanic 
        Education Act was introduced in the New Mexico State Legislature on 
        January 25, 2010;
Whereas the Hispanic Education Act was signed into law by Governor Richardson on 
        March 10, 2010, at Washington Middle School in Albuquerque, New Mexico;
Whereas the Hispanic Education Act will close the achievement gap while 
        increasing graduation rates, post-secondary enrollment, retention, and 
        completion;
Whereas the Hispanic Education Act will create a Hispanic Education liaison who 
        will focus on issues related to Hispanic education and develop a 
        strategic plan to improve elementary, secondary, and post-secondary 
        educational outcomes;
Whereas the Hispanic Education Act will create a Hispanic Education Advisory 
        Council to advise the New Mexico Secretary of Education on Hispanic 
        education;
Whereas the Hispanic Education Act sets into motion a multipronged approach to 
        bring the community together to tackle the growing achievement gap that 
        exists between Hispanic students and their peers; and
Whereas the Hispanic Education Act is the first law of its kind anywhere in the 
        United States: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the importance of the Hispanic Education Act 
        and its meaningful contribution to education in the State of 
        New Mexico;
            (2) congratulates New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, 
        State Senator Bernadette Sanchez, State Representative Rick 
        Miera, and Education Secretary Veronica Garcia for having the 
        courage to champion the Hispanic Education Act;
            (3) honors New Mexico's Latino/Hispano Education 
        Improvement Task Force for fighting to eliminate the 
        achievement gap in New Mexico; and
            (4) recognizes the need to replicate this important 
        legislation at the national level.
                                 <all>