S.Res. 547 — Agreed to in Senate

III 113th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 547 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 16, 2014Mr. Menendez (for himself, Mr. Reid, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Begich, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Booker, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Casey, Mr. Coons, Mr. Durbin, Mrs. Feinstein, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Levin, Mr. Markey, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Reed, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Udall of Colorado, Mr. Udall of New Mexico, Mr. Warner, and Mr. Heller) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating the week beginning September 14, 2014, 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 370 Hispanic-Serving Institutions operate in the United States; Whereas Hispanic-Serving Institutions represent just 11 percent of all institutions of higher learning, yet serve nearly 60 percent of all Hispanic students, enrolling more than 1,500,000 Hispanic students in 2012; Whereas the number of emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions, defined as institutions that do not yet meet the threshold of 25 percent Hispanic enrollment but serve a Hispanic student population of between 15 and 24 percent, grew to 270 colleges and universities in 2012; Whereas Hispanic-Serving Institutions are actively involved in stabilizing and improving the communities in which the institutions are located; 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 That the Senate— (1) recognizes the achievements and goals of Hispanic-Serving Institutions across the United States; (2) designates the week beginning September 14, 2014, 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.