A resolution expressing support for the recognition of September 27, 2026, to October 3, 2026, as "Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week".

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 911 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 911

   Expressing support for the recognition of September 27, 2026, to 
   October 3, 2026, as ``Asian American and Native American Pacific 
                 Islander-Serving Institutions Week''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 28, 2026

   Ms. Hirono (for herself, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Schatz, Mr. Kaine, Mr. 
  Merkley, Ms. Klobuchar, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Padilla, Ms. Warren, Mr. 
Booker, Mr. Wyden, Ms. Rosen, Mr. Durbin, and Ms. Smith) submitted the 
   following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
                               Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
   Expressing support for the recognition of September 27, 2026, to 
   October 3, 2026, as ``Asian American and Native American Pacific 
                 Islander-Serving Institutions Week''.

Whereas 2026 marks the 19th anniversary of the formal recognition and funding of 
        Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions 
        by Congress on September 27, 2007, in an amendment to the Higher 
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.), as added by section 802 
        of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (Public Law 110-84; 121 
        Stat. 817);
Whereas the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving 
        Institutions Program was officially authorized on August 14, 2008, 
        through section 307 of the Higher Education Opportunity Act (Public Law 
        110-315; 122 Stat. 3175), which added section 320 to the Higher 
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059g);
Whereas under section 320 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, Asian American 
        and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions are defined as 
        degree-granting postsecondary institutions that have an undergraduate 
        enrollment of no 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 that serve Asian American, Native 
        Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students;
Whereas, since 2007, over 280 colleges and universities throughout the United 
        States, including the United States territories in the Pacific, have 
        been eligible for funding as Asian American and Native American Pacific 
        Islander-serving institutions under the Higher Education Act of 1965;
Whereas based on available institutional data and the statutory eligibility 
        criteria established in the Higher Education Act of 1965--

    (1) in academic year 2025-2026, an estimated 194 colleges and 
universities in the United States, including the United States territories 
in the Pacific, met the criteria as an eligible Asian American and Native 
American Pacific Islander-serving institution;

    (2) Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving 
institutions comprise approximately 7.2 percent of all institutions of 
higher education, yet enroll 45.5 percent of all Asian American, Native 
Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander undergraduate students in the United States, 
including the United States territories in the Pacific;

    (3) Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving 
institutions award approximately 50.9 percent of the associate's degrees 
and 42.2 percent of the bachelor's 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; and

    (4) nearly one-third of Asian American and Native American Pacific 
Islander-serving institutions maintain an Asian American, Native Hawaiian, 
and Pacific Islander enrollment of more than 20 percent;

Whereas, since 2007, 69 Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-
        serving institutions in the United States, including the United States 
        territories in the Pacific, have received grant funding through the 
        Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions 
        program;
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 from families 
        with low incomes and are first-generation college students;
Whereas Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions 
        employ many Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander 
        faculty, staff, and administrators;
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 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
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the achievements and goals of Asian American 
        and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions in 
        providing quality educational opportunities to Asian American, 
        Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and other students who 
        attend these institutions;
            (2) encourages Asian American and Native American Pacific 
        Islander-serving institutions to obtain funding and establish 
        programs to serve the unique needs of Asian American, Native 
        Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students, families, and 
        communities;
            (3) recognizes the 19th anniversary of the formal 
        recognition and funding by Congress of Asian American and 
        Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions and 
        expresses support for the designation of ``Asian American and 
        Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week''; 
        and
            (4) 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.
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