White Hours Initiative for Educational Excellence for Hispanics

Floor Speech

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Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 25th anniversary of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, a bipartisan effort to increase educational opportunities and improve educational outcomes for Latinos in America.

Over the past 2 1/2 decades, the initiative has made great progress. The percentage of Hispanics with a high school degree has jumped by nearly 20 percent. The percentage of Hispanics dropping out of high school is nearly 20 percent lower. The percentage of Hispanics with a bachelor's degree or higher has nearly doubled.

Progress like this is possible because of so many committed organizations across our Nation. The initiative has identified certain ``Bright Spots'' in this effort, and I would like to recognize those programs that received the ``Bright Spot'' designation in my own congressional district.

They are: The Academy for Teacher Excellence, the Graduate Support Center at UIW, IDRA's Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program, Northwest Vista College's College Connection Program, and San Antonio College's College and Grants Development Department.

Congratulations to these ``Bright Spots,'' and thank you to all the organizations out there helping to make this program a success.

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