Recognizing the achievements of Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions on the 10th anniversary of their establishment.

Whereas Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions are degree-granting institutions that have a full-time equivalent undergraduate enrollment of not less than 10 percent Asian American students or Native American Pacific Islander students; Whereas the purpose of the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Program is to improve the availability and quality of postsecondary education programs to serve Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and low-income students; Whereas September 27, 2017, marks the 10th anniversary of the creation of the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Program originally authorized by the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007; Whereas 35 Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions currently operate in the United States, including the United States Territories; Whereas Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions comprise 3.4 percent of all institutions of higher education, yet enroll 41 percent of all Asian American and Pacific Islander undergraduate students; Whereas over half of Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions have an Asian American and Pacific Islander enrollment of over 20 percent; Whereas one-third of Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions have active Asian American Studies programs that play a vital role in preserving the heritage, culture, history, and experiences of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders; Whereas one-third of the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions have graduation rates for Asian American and Pacific Islanders that exceed the national graduation rate; Whereas Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions create culturally relevant academic programming, programs, and services to support low-income and first-generation students and increase the graduation rates of Asian American and Pacific Islander students; Whereas celebrating the vast contributions of Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions strengthens the culture of the United States; and Whereas the achievements and goals of Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions deserve national recognition: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) recognizes the achievements and goals of Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions in their work to provide quality educational opportunities to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other students who attend their institutions; (2) encourages institutions of higher education that are eligible for designation as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution to obtain such designation and establish programs to serve the unique needs of Asian American and Pacific Islander students and families; and (3) calls on the people of the United States and interested groups to observe the 10th anniversary of Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs to demonstrate support for Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions.

Summary: Recognizes the achievements and goals of institutions of higher education that are designated as Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions on the 10th anniversary of their establishment and encourages eligible institutions to obtain the designation.