Washington - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced a bipartisan resolution designating the week of September 16-22 as "National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week" to recognize the more than 300 non-profit Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) throughout our nation for their work, achievements, and critical role in educating and empowering Hispanic youth. Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), defined as colleges or universities where total Hispanic enrollment constitutes a minimum of 25% of the total enrollment, serve more than half of all Hispanic students in the United States. There are more than 300 Hispanic-Serving Institutions in operation throughout the country, including 7 in New Jersey. The resolution was also cosponsored by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV).

Senator Menendez said: "As a product of a Hispanic-Serving Institution in my home state of New Jersey, my experience is a living testimony of the important role these exemplary institutions play in providing opportunities to Hispanic students nationwide. As Chair of the Senate Democratic Hispanic Task Force, I am proud to introduce this resolution recognizing the importance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities for their critical work on behalf of Latino students. As our nation commemorates Hispanic Heritage month, this resolution reminds us of the importance of investing in education to empower the growing Hispanic community in the United States."

Senator Cornyn said: "Throughout the course of history, Hispanics have made rich contributions to our culture and way of life. Today, Hispanic Americans are leading the way in every area - from business and education to science, public service, and more. I am proud that Texas is home to the second-largest Hispanic population in the nation and pleased to join Sen. Menendez in supporting this legislation to pay tribute to the millions of Hispanic Americans who have lived the American dream and helped to make America the greatest nation on earth."

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said: "This week, we celebrate the contributions of the many Hispanic-Serving Institutions across the country. The vision and commitment of these institutions are vital for the Hispanic community as a whole but particularly for the currently enrolled students, the alumni, the parents, and the teachers. These great institutions have brightened the future of countless young Hispanic students. Our country needs their hard work and their dreams, their talent and determination to build a stronger and prosperous economy. For the first time and thanks to the Obama administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, thousands of young kids who were brought to the country through no fault of their own will be able to attend these institutions of higher education without the fear of deportation."

For a full list of Hispanic-Serving Institutions, click here: http://www.hacu.net/assnfe/CompanyDirectory.asp?STYLE=2&COMPANY_TYPE=1,5

To read the full resolution, click here: http://menendez.senate.gov/download/?id=71ad4992-af02-4e88-a534-88570e4cb5f9

###