September 13, 2024

Bipartisan Bicameral Resolution recognizes National HSIs Week, Sept. 9-15, 2024

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities applauds the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives for recognizing the contributions made by Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs).

“HACU is grateful for Congress recognizing the vital importance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions during National HSIs Week,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores. “HSIs are America’s best hope for a vibrant democracy and a future as prosperous and just country. These rapidly growing institutions educate and train the newest generations of professionals, technicians, engineers, scientists, and leaders from diverse backgrounds that are the backbone of the nation’s economic and social advancement.”

A bipartisan bicameral Resolution introduced by Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas-20) designates the week starting on September 9, 2024, as National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week.

The resolution is co-led in the House of Representatives by Congressional HSI Caucus co-chairs Representatives Jenniffer González-Colón (R-Puerto Rico), Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.-07), and Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.-06). 

The Resolution recognizes that “Hispanic-serving institutions play an important role in educating many low-income and underserved students and creating opportunities and increasing access to higher education for such students,” and “Celebrating the vast contributions of Hispanic-serving institutions strengthens the culture of the United States.” Click here for the release from Senator Padilla. Click here to read the full Resolution.

In addition to Senators Padilla and Cornyn, the resolution is cosponsored by Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

In addition to Representatives Castro, González-Colón, Grijalva, and Ciscomani, Representatives Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.-44), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.-01), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.-26), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.-24), Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.-29), Greg Casar (D-Texas-35), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.-05), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.-20), Judy Chu (D-Calif.-28), Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.-05), Lou Correa (D-Calif.-46), Jim Costa (D-Calif.-21), Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas-30), Henry Cuellar (D-Texas-28), Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.-07), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.-10), Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas-37), Veronica Escobar (D-Texas-16), Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.-13), Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.-03), Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.-10), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.-03), John Garamendi (D-Calif.-08), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-Ill.-04), Robert Garcia (D-Calif.-42), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas-29), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.-34), Al Green (D-Texas-09), Josh Harder (D-Calif.-09), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson (D-Ga.-04), Robin L. Kelly (D-Ill.-02), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.-17), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.-18), Lucy McBath (D-Ga.-07), Gwen Moore (D-Wis.-04), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.-06), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.-15), Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.-31), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.-14), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.-19), Scott Peters (D-Calif.-50), Katie Porter (D-Calif.-47), Delia C. Ramirez (D-Ill.-03), Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.-25), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.-06), Linda T. Sanchez (D-Calif.-38), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.-09), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.-30), Darren Soto (D-Fla.-09), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.-01), Michelle Steel (R-Calif.-45), Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.-14), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.-04), David Trone (D-Md.-06), Dina Titus (D-Nev.-01), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.-12), Norma J. Torres (D-Calif.-35), Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.-15), Lori Trahan (D-Mass.-03), David Valadao (R-Calif.-22), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.-52), Marc Veasey (D-Texas-33), and Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.-07) cosponsored the resolution in the House of Representatives.

In 1992, HACU led the effort to convince Congress to formally recognize campuses with high Hispanic enrollment as federally designated HSIs and to begin targeting federal appropriations to those campuses.

Congress first formally recognized campuses with high Hispanic enrollment as federally designated HSIs in 1992, and in 1995 HSIs received the initial federal appropriations.

Below are some links to additional information about HSIs:

Download HSIs Fact Sheet here.

Download HSIs Quick Fact Sheet here.

View the list of HSIs here and Emerging HSIs here.