[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 14, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H6645-H6646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1540
SUPPORTING NATIONAL HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTIONS WEEK
Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 1611) expressing support for designation of the
week beginning September 19, 2010, as ``National Hispanic-Serving
Institutions Week''.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1611
Whereas Hispanic-Serving Institutions play an important
role in educating many underprivileged students and helping
them attain their full potential through higher education;
Whereas Hispanic-Serving Institutions are degree-granting
institutions with a full-time-equivalent undergraduate
enrollment of 25 percent or more Hispanic students;
Whereas there are currently approximately 260 Hispanic-
Serving Institutions in the United States;
Whereas Hispanic-Serving Institutions are actively involved
in stabilizing and improving their communities;
Whereas over 50 percent of the Nation's Hispanic students
attend Hispanic-Serving Institutions;
Whereas celebrating the vast contributions of Hispanic-
Serving Institutions contributes to the strength and culture
of the United States;
Whereas the achievements and goals of Hispanic-Serving
Institutions are deserving of national recognition; and
Whereas the week of September 19, 2010, would be an
appropriate week to designate as ``National Hispanic-Serving
Institutions Week'': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the achievements and goals of Hispanic-
Serving Institutions across the United States;
(2) supports the designation of ``National Hispanic-Serving
Institutions Week'';
(3) requests the President to issue a proclamation
designating ``National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week'';
and
(4) calls on the people of the United States and interested
groups to observe such week with appropriate ceremonies,
activities, and programs to demonstrate support for Hispanic-
Serving Institutions.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from the
Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan) and the gentleman from Tennessee
(Mr. Roe) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands.
General Leave
Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House
Resolution 1611 into the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands?
There was no objection.
Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1611,
which encourages establishment of the week of September 19 as National
Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week. Hispanic-Serving Institutions are
degree-granting institutions of higher education with a student
population that is at least one-quarter Hispanic. In 1990, there were
only 137 recognized Hispanic-Serving Institutions. Today, there are 268
such institutions, educating nearly half of all Hispanic college and
university students nationwide.
Overall, Hispanic students are more likely than their peers to face
multiple obstacles in their access to, and completion of, higher
education. They are less likely than their white peers to complete
their bachelor's degrees due to issues such as poverty, immigration
status, language barriers, family responsibilities, and the demands of
part-time employment. Hispanic-Serving Institutions play a crucial role
in addressing these issues and obstacles by providing the support
services necessary to help their students focus on and complete their
degrees.
Hispanic-Serving Institutions provide opportunities for their
students to get involved in campus and community leadership activities,
and also work to prepare students for careers in a 21st century
workforce by expanding the ranks of Hispanics in science, technology,
engineering, and math fields.
Recently, the nonprofit organization Excelencia in Education began a
national initiative known as Ensuring America's Future By Increasing
Latino College Completion. This initiative aims to focus attention on
serving Hispanic students by organizations, institutions, and
policymakers, to delineate degree completion goals, and encourage
Federal, State, and institutional policies which promote the success of
Hispanic students. The initiative also aligns with President Obama's
goal to increase our Nation's degree attainment by 2020.
Over 50 organizations have partnered with Excelencia to support the
campaign, including groups such as the Hispanic Association of Colleges
and Universities, the Alliance for Excellent Education, and the
National Governors Association.
According to the United States Census, only 19 percent of Hispanics
in the United States had earned an associate's degree or higher in
2008. In comparison, 59 percent of Asians, 39 percent of whites, and 28
percent of African Americans had earned an associate's or higher in the
same year. A report by Excelencia states that 5.5 million Latinos will
have to earn college degrees between now and 2020 in order for the
United States to reach the Obama administration's degree completion
goal. That means 3.3 million more Latinos will have to complete
[[Page H6646]]
college than are currently projected. Our Nation's Hispanic-Serving
Institutions will help us lead the way to greater access to and
completion of higher education for all of America's students.
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support this important
resolution and join me in recognizing the week of September 19 as the
2010 National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week and honoring the
important contributions these institutions make to the education of our
students.
I thank my good friend Representative Grijalva for his leadership in
bringing this important resolution forward.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I
may consume.
I rise today in support of House Resolution 1611, expressing support
for the designation of the week beginning September 19, 2010, as
National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week.
The act of going to college and earning a degree is more important
than ever for today's youth and our society. Research shows individuals
with a bachelor's degree earn more than high school graduates, and
society as a whole gains from an educated citizenry. Students
historically underrepresented at the postsecondary level--students of
color, those from low-income backgrounds, and first-generation
students--are less likely to prepare for, apply for, enroll in, and
complete postsecondary education.
As of July 2009, the estimated Hispanic population of the United
States was 48.1 million, making people of Hispanic origin the Nation's
largest ethnic or race minority. It is estimated by 2050 Hispanics will
constitute 30 percent of the Nation's population.
Currently, there are almost 270 Hispanic-Serving Institutions, HSIs,
in the United States answering the call to educate underprivileged
students and help them to attain their full potential through higher
education. HSIs are degree-granting institutions with a full-time
equivalent undergraduate enrollment of 25 percent or more Hispanic
students. The HSIs serve a very diverse student body. In 2007, 46
percent enrolled in HSIs were Hispanic, and the remaining 44 percent
were a diverse mix of students from various ethnicities and
backgrounds.
Although most HSIs do not have access to the resources or endowment
income that other institutions can draw on, they provide a quality
education for the students they serve. While HSIs comprise less than 10
percent of the Nation's institutions of higher education, these
institutions educate over two-thirds of Hispanic students enrolled in
colleges and universities. HSIs provide some of the most disadvantaged
students with the opportunity to attend college, and as a result, help
to supply employers with talented, well-educated employees who can
contribute in a competitive global workforce.
Today we honor Hispanic-Serving Institutions across the country for
their achievements and goals. I urge my colleagues to support this
resolution.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa), a leader in education for all
students, including Hispanic students.
Mr. HINOJOSA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my support for
H. Res. 1611, a resolution designating the week beginning September 19,
2010, as National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week. As never before,
our Nation's Hispanic-Serving Institutions, known as HSIs, play an
invaluable role in educating millions of Latinos and low-income
students. It is critically important that we recognize their
contributions to our Nation's higher education system.
As subcommittee chairman for Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and
Competitiveness, it is indeed a privilege for me to congratulate HSI
college presidents who strive for excellence and support our students
in reaching their full potential, and to acknowledge the hard work and
dedication of HSI faculty, administrators, and students.
In these tough economic times, it is imperative that youth and adults
receive a high quality education and are equipped with the 21st century
skills to thrive in our Nation's economy. By providing accessibility
and affordability to Latinos and other minorities in higher education,
HSIs are creating pathways out of poverty and access to high-skilled,
family-sustaining jobs and lifelong learning.
On March 30, 2010, it was an honor for me to join President Obama for
the signing of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of
2010. For the first time, Congress has provided $1 billion for HSIs
over the next decade to increase the representation and boost the
academic achievement of Latinos in the fields of science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics, known as STEM.
This is a big, big deal for the Latino community. I wish to thank
Congressman Raul Grijalva from Arizona for being the original sponsor
of this resolution, H. Res. 1611.
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, I respectfully ask
President Obama to issue a proclamation designating the week beginning
September 19, 2010, as National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week.
Madam Speaker, as our Nation strives to build a world-class
educational system, increase graduation rates at all levels, and
improve college access, persistence and completion, this resolution
commends HSIs for preparing youth and workers for success in work and
in life.
I strongly urge my colleagues in Congress to support this resolution
and ask all Americans to observe National Hispanic-Serving Institutions
Week.
Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for
time, and I yield back the balance of my time. I urge support of this
resolution.
Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, I also urge the support of H. Res. 1611.
I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of
my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1611.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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