Expressing support for the recognition of the week of September 25 through October 1, 2023, as Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week.

Expressing support for the recognition of the week of September 25 through October 1, 2023, as Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week Whereas the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Program was originally established using funds authorized by the College Cost Reduction and Access Act ( Public Law 11084 Whereas 2023 marks the 16th anniversary of the establishment of Federal funding for Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions by Congress; Whereas Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions are degree-granting postsecondary institutions that have an undergraduate enrollment of not less than 10 percent Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and 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 American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students; Whereas, since 2007, more than 260 colleges and universities throughout the United States, including the United States territories in the Pacific, have been eligible for Federal funding as Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions; Whereas, as of the date of adoption of this resolution, there are 206 eligible Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions operating in the United States, including the United States territories in the Pacific; Whereas, as of the 20222023 academic year, 58 Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions were receiving or had received Federal funding in the United States, including the United States territories in the Pacific; Whereas Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions are of critical importance, as they enroll, support, and graduate large proportions of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander college students, the overwhelming majority of whom are first-generation and from families with low income; Whereas Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions comprise only 6.5 percent of all institutions of higher education, yet enroll 46 percent of all Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander undergraduate students in the United States, including the United States territories in the Pacific; Whereas Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions employ many of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander faculty, staff, and administrators in the United States; Whereas Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions award more than 50 percent of the associates degrees and more than 40 percent of the bachelors degrees attained by all Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander college students in the United States, including the United States territories in the Pacific; Whereas more than 1/2 Whereas Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions play a vital role in preserving the diverse culture, experiences, heritage, and history of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders; Whereas Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions create culturally relevant academic and co-curricular programs, research, and services, which increase student retention, transfer, and graduation rates, while also enhancing the overall educational experiences of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, 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 Senate (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 American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and other students who attend their institutions; (2) encourages institutions of higher education that are eligible to receive Federal funding as Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions to obtain Federal funding and establish programs to serve the unique needs of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students, families, and communities; (3) recognizes 2023 as the 16th anniversary of the establishment of the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Program; (4) designates the week of September 25 through October 1, 2023, as Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week; and (5) calls on the people of the United States, including the United States territories in the Pacific, and interested groups to observe Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week with appropriate activities, ceremonies, and programs to demonstrate support for Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions.

Summary: This resolution recognizes the 16th anniversary of the establishment of the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Program and designates the week of September 25-October 1, 2023, as Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week.