WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) introduced legislation today providing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) with the same access to technical and financial assistance currently available to other Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) as they establish preservation training and degree programs. The Preservation Research at Institutions Serving Minorities (PRISM) Act of 2015 will ensure that HSIs are able to provide historic preservation education and training programs to their students. 

“There are more than 400 Hispanic-Serving Institutions in this country who deserve equal access to funding already available to other Minority Serving Institutions,” Rep. Grijalva said. “The Hispanic population in this country is growing, and more than half of our country’s young Hispanic students attend Hispanic-Serving Institutions. It is crucial that we assure all students have the opportunity to participate in projects to preserve their cultural and national heritage.  I urge my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to join me in in this effort to assure all students have access to these types of programs.”

While HSIs comprise about 12 percent of all higher education institutions in the U.S., they educate 60 percent of our 3 million Hispanic college students. As the Hispanic population grows, these institutions will be increasingly vital in connecting young people with their culture and preserving the rich history of all cultures in our country.

The Preservation Research at Institutions Serving Minorities (PRISM) Act is supported by 17 community advocacy organizations, including the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU); SER – Jobs for Progress National, Inc.; Southwest Voter Registration Education Project (SVREP); American GI Forum; National Hispanic Media Coalition; Hispanic Access Foundation; Hispanic Federation; Hispanics Enjoying Camping; Hunting, and the Outdoors (HECHO); GreenLatinos; Azul; Diverse Environmental Leaders National Speakers Bureau; League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC); ASPIRA Association, Inc.; the National Council of La Raza (NCLR); the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA); and the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA).

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