[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 6, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S425]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 544--DESIGNATING THE WEEK BEGINNING FEBRUARY 5, 2024, 
         AS ``NATIONAL TRIBAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WEEK''

  Mr. TESTER (for himself, Mr. Daines, Mr. Schatz, Mr. Lujan, Ms. 
Klobuchar, Ms. Sinema, Ms. Warren, Ms. Baldwin, Ms. Smith, Mr. 
Heinrich, Ms. Hirono, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Bennet, Ms. Rosen, 
Mr. Rounds, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Hoeven, Mr. 
Barrasso, Mr. Thune, Mr. Moran, Mrs. Fischer, and Mr. Kelly) submitted 
the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 544

       Whereas there are 34 Tribal Colleges and Universities 
     operating on more than 90 campuses in 15 States;
       Whereas Tribal Colleges and Universities are tribally 
     chartered or federally chartered institutions of higher 
     education and therefore have a unique relationship with the 
     Federal Government;
       Whereas Tribal Colleges and Universities serve students 
     from more than 230 federally recognized Indian tribes;
       Whereas Tribal Colleges and Universities offer students 
     access to knowledge and skills grounded in cultural 
     traditions and values, including indigenous languages, 
     which--
       (1) enhances Indian communities; and
       (2) enriches the United States as a nation;
       Whereas Tribal Colleges and Universities provide access to 
     high-quality postsecondary educational opportunities for--
       (1) American Indians;
       (2) Alaska Natives; and
       (3) other individuals that live in some of the most 
     isolated and economically depressed areas in the United 
     States;
       Whereas Tribal Colleges and Universities are accredited 
     institutions of higher education that prepare students to 
     succeed in the global and highly competitive workforce;
       Whereas Tribal Colleges and Universities have open 
     enrollment policies, and approximately 13 percent of the 
     students at Tribal Colleges and Universities are non-Indian 
     individuals; and
       Whereas the collective mission and the considerable 
     achievements of Tribal Colleges and Universities deserve 
     national recognition: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the week beginning February 5, 2024, as 
     ``National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week''; and
       (2) calls on the people of the United States and interested 
     groups to observe National Tribal Colleges and Universities 
     Week with appropriate activities and programs to demonstrate 
     support for Tribal Colleges and Universities.

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