Hirono Leads Senate Colleagues in Introducing Resolution Designating Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) led 19 of her Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution designating the week of September 25 through October 1, 2023 as Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) Week. The resolution recognizes the significance, achievements, and goals of AANAPISIs and their work to provide quality educational opportunities to students who attend their institutions, particularly Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students.

“During AANAPISI Week, we recognize the importance of Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions and the role they play in supporting AANHPI students and preparing the next generation of leaders in our communities,” said Senator Hirono. “I am proud to introduce this resolution celebrating these institutions and will continue to support AANAPISIs as they work to expand opportunities for our youth and help uplift Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students across the country.”

Congress created the AANAPISI program through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-84), which Senator Hirono cosponsored as a then-member of the U.S. House of Representatives. To be designated as an AANAPISI, an institution must have an enrollment of undergraduate students that is at least 10 percent Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander students. AANAPISIs comprise six percent of all colleges and universities in the U.S., but enroll nearly half of all AANHPI students in the country. In 2023, there are 206 AANAPISIs in the United States. Since the program was established, it has provided grants and other assistance to AANAPISIs to improve and expand their capacity to continue to serve these students.

In addition to Senator Hirono, this resolution is cosponsored by Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bob Casey (D-PA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), John Fetterman (D-PA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

Companion legislation was also introduced in the House by Representative Judy Chu (D-CA), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC).  

The full text of the resolution is available here.

Senator Hirono has long advocated on behalf of AANHPI communities in Hawaii, the U.S., and Pacific Island nations and territories, and is a longstanding champion of programs to support Hawaii’s indigenous, Native Hawaiian community, especially in the areas of education, health, and housing. In July, Senator Hirono introduced legislation that would establish an integrated research, education, and extension competitive grant program and scholarship grant program for certain Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving agricultural institutions. In April, she led a letter requesting stronger funding to support federal programs authorized by the Higher Education Act, as well as Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions in the U.S.

###