[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Pages 21641-21642]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 608--RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF HISPANIC 
    SERVING INSTITUTIONS, AND THE 20 YEARS OF EDUCATIONAL ENDEAVORS 
   PROVIDED BY THE HISPANIC ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

  Mrs. HUTCHISON (for herself, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr. 
Durbin, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Domenici, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Smith, Mr. Frist, 
Mr. McCain, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Salazar, Mr. Reid, Mr. Martinez, Mrs. 
Clinton, Mr. Lieberman, Mrs. Boxer, and Mr. Menendez) submitted the 
following resolution; which was:

                              S. Res. 608

       Whereas 202 Hispanic Serving Institutions provide a gateway 
     to higher education for the Hispanic community, enrolling 
     nearly half of all Hispanic students in college today;
       Whereas the Hispanic Association of Colleges and 
     Universities, founded in San Antonio, Texas, has grown from 
     18 founding colleges and universities, to more than 400 
     United States colleges and universities, which the 
     Association recognizes as Hispanic Serving Institutions, 
     associate members, and partners;
       Whereas the Hispanic Association of Colleges and 
     Universities plays a vital role in advocating for the growth, 
     development, and infrastructure enhancement of Hispanic 
     Serving Institutions in order to provide a better and more 
     complete postsecondary education for Hispanics and other 
     students who attend these institutions;
       Whereas the Hispanic Association of Colleges and 
     Universities is the only national education association that 
     represents Hispanic Serving Institutions and advocates on a 
     national and State level for the educational achievement and 
     success of Hispanic students in higher education;
       Whereas the membership of the Hispanic Association of 
     Colleges and Universities has extended beyond the borders of 
     the United States to include over 45 colleges and 
     universities in Latin America, Spain, and Portugal in order 
     to expand education, research, and outreach through 
     international opportunities for faculty, internships, 
     scholarships, and governmental partnerships for students at 
     Hispanic Serving Institutions; and
       Whereas the 4th week in October 2006 is an appropriate time 
     to express such recognition during the 20th Anniversary 
     Conference of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and 
     Universities in San Antonio, Texas: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the national role of the Hispanic 
     Association of Colleges and Universities as an advocate and 
     champion for Hispanic higher education and congratulates the 
     organization on its 20th Anniversary;
       (2) applauds Hispanic Serving Institutions for their work 
     to provide quality educational opportunities to all Hispanic 
     and other students who attend their institutions; and
       (3) urges university presidents, faculty, staff, and 
     supporters of Hispanic higher education to continue their 
     efforts to recruit, retain, educate, and graduate students 
     who might not otherwise pursue a postsecondary education.

  Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a bipartisan 
resolution recognizing the contributions of Hispanic Serving 
Institutions, and the 20 years of educational endeavors provided by The 
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.
  Today, there are currently 202 Hispanic Serving Institutions in the 
United States enrolling nearly half of all Hispanic students in 
college. I take pride in noting that The Hispanic Association of 
Colleges and Universities was founded in my home state of Texas. From 
its beginning in the City of San Antonio, the Association has grown 
from 18 colleges and universities to now recognizing more than 400 
United States colleges and universities as Hispanic Serving 
Institutions, associate members, and partners.
  The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities strives to 
promote academic success for Hispanic students in higher education. 
This aspiration is continually met in the United States as the 
Association is the only national education entity that represents 
Hispanic Serving Institutions. Though focused on the U.S., the 
Association is also pursuing this goal of high standards in education 
by expanding even beyond our borders to 45 colleges and

[[Page 21642]]

universities in Latin America, Spain and Portugal.
  Education offers greater opportunity for every individual, and I 
commend the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities for their 
work in developing and enhancing Hispanic Serving Institutions in order 
to provide a quality higher education experience for Hispanics and 
other students who attend these institutions.

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