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October 17, 2003
Rep. Green announces Support for Hispanic Serving Institutions
and Proposed Graduate Program
Washington, DC - After attending the University of Texas-Pan American Hispanic Engineering, Science and Technology Education Conference (HESTEC) in McAllen, Texas, Rep. Gene Green (D-Houston) made the following statement regarding proposed changes to the Higher Education Act that would establish a graduate program for Hispanic Serving Institutions:

“Our nation’s economic and social success rests on the level of skills and knowledge attained by Hispanics, now the nation’s largest minority population. Education, indisputably, is the key.
 
“Over the years, our office has worked to reach out to Hispanic students by encouraging an interest in the fields of math, science and engineering.  One program that we initiated in 1997 was to invite a Hispanic astronaut to visit middle schools in the 29th Congressional District to encourage Hispanic students to take math and science class.  Twice a year, we hold a ‘Paying for College’ workshop in cooperation with the Sallie Mae Fund to give students and their parents information to help them with the biggest hurdle facing college-bound students: paying for the college or university of their choice. 
 
“I salute the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) for it’s commitment to Hispanic education, from kindergarten through graduate school and in today’s work force.
 
“At a time when advanced skills are becoming a more important measure of future earnings, tax dollars and the nation’s economic strength, only 20 percent of Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) offer a master’s degree; less than 12 percent of HSIs offer a doctoral degree; many under-funded HSIs do not have the infrastructure to offer advanced degree programs; and only 44 HSIs now have graduate programs in place.  Funding for HSIs to spur the growth of graduate programs would contribute to reversing the persistent under-representation of Hispanics in teaching, science, technology and professional ranks.
 

 

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