Luján, Heinrich Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Resolution to Honor Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced a bipartisan, bicameral resolution to designate the week starting on September 9, 2024 as National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week.

Hispanic-Serving Institutions are accredited, degree-granting, public or private nonprofit institutions of higher education with 25 percent or higher total undergraduate Hispanic or Latino full-time students. There are 600 HSIs in the United States that enroll over 5.2 million Hispanic students, two-thirds of all Hispanic undergraduates, and 32.2 percent of total Pell recipients — empowering and improving communities. New Mexico is home to 24 Hispanic-Serving Institutions.

“As a proud alum of New Mexico Highlands University, a Hispanic-Serving Institution, I am proud to recognize the immeasurable impact that HSIs have on the lives of Hispanic students. New Mexico is home to two dozen HSIs that are creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders in New Mexico and across the nation,” said Luján. “During Hispanic Heritage Month, I am committed to supporting New Mexico’s HSIs and the students they serve.”

“From driving small business growth to leading labor movements, Hispanics and Latinos have directly shaped and grown our economy and workplaces for the better. I’ve been proud to support the next generation of Hispanic and Latino leaders by expanding access to broadband, apprenticeships, business loans, health care, and higher education, especially through New Mexico’s Hispanic Serving Institutions. By investing in places like the University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Highlands University, and New Mexico Tech, we are supporting Latino and Hispanic students as they continue to move our country forward,” said Heinrich.

This resolution celebrates the vast contributions of HSIs across the country. It also highlights the important role these institutions play in educating many underserved students, helping them attain their full potential by creating opportunities and increasing access to higher education. This resolution is supported by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).

“The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities is grateful for Congress recognizing the vital importance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions during National HSIs Week,” said Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (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.”

The resolution is led by U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), chair of the Senate Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Caucus, and John Cornyn (R-Texas), along with U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), co-chair of the Congressional HSI Caucus, introduced the resolution. 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.), and Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.). 

Full text of the resolution is available here.

###