Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions

STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS -- (Senate - February 10, 2005)

Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a bill that will amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise provisions for Hispanic-serving institutions, HSIs, under Title V, Developing Institutions. The changes will expand opportunities in postgraduate education, an essential part of our economy that enables our workforce to maintain the knowledge that keeps our nation at the forefront of science and technology.

The bill will establish a program of competitive grants for HSIs that offer post-baccalaureate certifications or degrees. Grants will support graduate fellowships, services for students, facilities improvement and faculty development, among other things. It authorizes $125 million in grants for fiscal year 2006, and will reduce red tape by eliminating the requirement that an HSI certify half of its students are low-income, thus making it easier for students to transfer from two to four year colleges.

According to the 2000 Census, Hispanics represent the nation's largest minority population. Unfortunately, too few graduate from high school or college, despite being the fastest-growing ethnicity in that age group. We need more resources to support Hispanic educational opportunities. Hispanic-Serving Institutions are currently educating 51 percent of the 457,000 Hispanic higher education students in the United States. Although HSIs account for 5 percent of all institutions of higher education, almost one-half of the 1.5 million Hispanic students currently in college programs attend them.

Between 1991 and 2000, the number of Hispanics earning master's degrees grew 136 percent and the number of doctor's degrees grew 85 percent. Our Nation's economic strength and prosperity will depend on the knowledge, skills, and leadership of a population that already makes up one of three new workers joining the U.S. labor force today.

As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have been committed to increasing federal support of HSIs. Since 1995, Title V funding has increased from $12 million to $95 million in fiscal year 2005. I believe this is an important investment to ensure our nation's youngest and largest ethnic population has access to the educational opportunities needed to excel.

Because I believe the success of Hispanic students will play a critical role in determining this country's future, I am proud to offer this bill that will improve options for graduate and postgraduate study, and I urge my colleagues to support it. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the bill be printed in the RECORD.

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