Whereas Hispanic-Serving Institutions are degree-granting institutions that have a full-time equivalent undergraduate enrollment comprised of at least 25 percent Hispanic students; Whereas Hispanic-Serving Institutions play an important role in educating many underprivileged students and helping those students attain their full potential through higher education; Whereas 492 Hispanic-Serving Institutions operate in the United States; Whereas Hispanic-Serving Institutions represent just 14.9 percent of all nonprofit institutions of higher education, yet serve 24.5 percent of all students and 63 percent of all Hispanic students, enrolling more than 2,075,317 Hispanic students; Whereas there are operating in 36 States and the District of Columbia 333 emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions, which are institutions that do not meet the threshold of 25 percent Hispanic enrollment but serve a Hispanic student population of between 15 and 24 percent; Whereas Hispanic-Serving Institutions are located in 21 States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions are located in 36 States and the District of Columbia; Whereas Hispanic-Serving Institutions are actively involved in stabilizing and improving the communities in which the institutions are located; Whereas Hispanic-Serving Institutions lead in efforts to increase Hispanic participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; Whereas celebrating the vast contributions of Hispanic-Serving Institutions to the United States strengthens the culture of the United States; and Whereas the achievements and goals of Hispanic-Serving Institutions deserve national recognition: Now, therefore, be it