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] [H. Res. 1574 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1574

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

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 24, 2026

Ms. Chu (for herself, Mr. Takano, Ms. Meng, Ms. Barragan, Mr. Bell, Ms. Bonamici, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Correa, Mr. Davis of Illinois, Ms. DelBene, Mrs. Dingell, Mr. Gomez, Ms. Jayapal, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Ms. King-Hinds, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, Ms. Matsui, Mr. Min, Ms. Ross, Ms. Simon, Ms. Strickland, Mr. Suozzi, Mr. Thompson of California, Ms. Tokuda, and Mrs. Watson Coleman) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce

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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 section 802 of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act; Whereas the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Program was officially authorized on August 14, 2008, by section 307 of the Higher Education Opportunity Act; 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 to 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 over 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 been funded when the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions program was being administered; 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 overwhelmingly 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 of the Nation's 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 cocurricular 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 House of Representatives-- (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 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. <all>