[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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