III 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 40 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 1, 2017 Ms. Heitkamp (for herself, Mr. Lankford , Ms. Stabenow , Ms. Baldwin , Mr. Schatz , Mr. Udall , Mr. Thune , Mr. Moran , Mr. Tester , Mr. Heinrich , Mr. Daines , Mr. Hoeven , Ms. Klobuchar , Mrs. Murray , Mr. Franken , Mr. Peters , Ms. Hirono , and Mr. Barrasso ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating the week beginning on February 5, 2017, as National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week .

Whereas there are 37 Tribal Colleges and Universities operating on more than 75 campuses in 16 States; Whereas Tribal Colleges and Universities are tribally chartered or federally chartered institutions of higher education and therefore have a unique relationship with the Federal Government; Whereas Tribal Colleges and Universities serve students from more than 250 federally recognized Indian tribes; Whereas Tribal Colleges and Universities offer students access to knowledge and skills grounded in cultural traditions and values, including indigenous languages, which enhances Indian communities and enriches the United States as a whole; Whereas Tribal Colleges and Universities provide access to high-quality postsecondary educational opportunities for American Indians, Alaska Natives, and other individuals living in some of the most isolated and economically depressed areas in the United States; Whereas Tribal Colleges and Universities are accredited institutions of higher education that effectively prepare students to succeed in their academic pursuits and in a global and highly competitive workforce; Whereas Tribal Colleges and Universities have open enrollment policies, and approximately 15 percent of the students at Tribal Colleges and Universities are non-Indian individuals; and Whereas the collective mission and the considerable achievements of Tribal Colleges and Universities deserve national recognition: Now, therefore, be it