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Rubio Joins Menendez, Colleagues in Supporting Over 500 Hispanic-Serving Institutions

Sep 19, 2019 | Press Releases

Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) in introducing a Senate resolution recognizing the work, goals, and achievements of 523 non-profit, Hispanic-Serving Institutions throughout our nation by designating the week of September 16-22 as “National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week.”


The resolution is cosponsored by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D- NJ), Bob Casey (D-PA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Kamala Harris (D-CA.), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D- MI), Patty Murray (D- WA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Tom Udall (D-NM).


The full text of the resolution is below. 


Designating the week beginning September 16, 2019, as National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week.


Whereas Hispanic-Serving Institutions are degree-granting institutions that have a full-time equivalent undergraduate enrollment of at least 25 percent Hispanic students;


Whereas Hispanic-Serving Institutions play an important role in educating many underprivileged students and helping those students attain their full potential through higher education;


Whereas 523 Hispanic-Serving Institutions operate in the United States; 


Whereas Hispanic-Serving Institutions represent just over 15 percent of all nonprofit institutions of higher education, yet serve 26.8 percent of all students and 66 percent of all Hispanic students, enrolling 2,066,468 Hispanics;


Whereas, in September 2019, the number of ‘‘emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions’’, defined as institutions that do not yet meet the threshold of 25 percent Hispanic fulltime equivalent enrollment but serve a Hispanic student population of between 15 and 24 percent, stands at 328 institutions operating in 35 States; 


Whereas Hispanic-Serving Institutions are located in 25 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions are located in 35 States;


Whereas Hispanic-Serving Institutions are actively involved in stabilizing and improving the communities in which the institutions are located;


Whereas Hispanic-Serving Institutions are leading efforts to increase Hispanic participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM);


Whereas celebrating the vast contributions of Hispanic-Serving Institutions to the United States strengthens the culture of the United States; and


Whereas the achievements and goals of Hispanic-Serving Institutions deserve national recognition: Now, therefore, be it


Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) recognizes the achievements and goals of Hispanic-Serving Institutions across the United States and in Puerto Rico; 
2) designates the week beginning September 6, 2019, as ‘‘National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week’’; and
(3) calls on the people of the United States and interested groups to observe the week with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs to demonstrate support for Hispanic-Serving Institutions.