[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 442 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 442
Recognizing the importance of California's public higher education
systems and reaffirming the United States commitment to supporting
these institutions.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 23, 2025
Mr. Bera (for himself, Mr. Obernolte, Mr. Carbajal, Mr. Garamendi, Mr.
Takano, Ms. Simon, Mr. Panetta, Ms. Barragan, Mr. Harder of California,
Ms. Friedman, Ms. Sanchez, Mr. DeSaulnier, Mr. Mullin, Mr. Min, Mr.
Tran, Mr. Lieu, Mrs. Torres of California, Ms. Matsui, and Mr. Gomez)
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee
on Education and Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the importance of California's public higher education
systems and reaffirming the United States commitment to supporting
these institutions.
Whereas the California Master Plan for Higher Education, enacted in 1960,
outlined the framework of the roles, missions, and access policies for
the three systems of public higher education in California--the
University of California, the California State University, and the
California Community Colleges;
Whereas the University of California focuses on research and delivering
undergraduate, graduate, and professional education and providing highly
skilled graduates to the workforce;
Whereas the California State University focuses on teaching and delivering
undergraduate, master's level, and select doctoral degrees for careers
tailored to the regional economic needs of the university and industry
needs of the State;
Whereas the California Community Colleges are open to all Californians, offer
the most affordable education, act as a pipeline for transferring to the
other two systems, and are the top provider of vocational and workforce
education in fields ranging from automotive repair to zoology;
Whereas the size and reach of public higher education students in California is
significant and extensive;
Whereas the University of California enrolled a record high of 299,407 students
in Fall 2024 semester across its 10 campuses and has more than 2,000,000
alumni living and working around the world;
Whereas the California State University is the country's largest four-year
public university system with more than 460,000 students across 23
universities in every region of California and a global network of more
than 4,000,000 alumni;
Whereas the California Community Colleges remain the largest system of higher
education in the country with 2,000,000 students and a top employer in
the State with 88,000 faculty and staff across 116 colleges;
Whereas California's systems of public higher education's affordability and
accessibility provide students from low-income and underrepresented
communities pathways to upward economic mobility and success;
Whereas more than 70 percent of undergraduates from the University of California
and the California State University receive financial aid, and more than
half of in-State bachelor's degree recipients from both systems graduate
with no student loan debt;
Whereas more than one-third of low-income students from the University of
California achieve annual incomes that place them in the top 20 percent,
doubling their incomes within 10 years of graduation;
Whereas the California State University educates one of the most diverse student
bodies in the country with nearly half of their undergraduates receiving
the Pell grant, more than half of their students hailing from
traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, and more than a quarter of
their undergraduates being first-generation college students;
Whereas approximately 65 percent of California community college students were
classified as Perkins Economically Disadvantaged and more than one-third
identified as first-generation in their family to attend college;
Whereas the value of a degree from one of California's public higher education
systems is considerable for graduates and the State;
Whereas the research, development, and innovation of the University of
California results in technological progress that advances the State and
society, including the establishment of the internet, first legal
hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, cochlear implants, and numerous software and
biotechnology firms in the State;
Whereas the University of California generates $12,000,000,000 in Federal,
State, and local taxes and $82,000,000,000 in economic activity per
year, and supports 529,000 jobs through activities and spending, ranking
as the third largest employer in California;
Whereas the California State University generates $26,900,000,000 in industry
activity, employs more than 63,000 faculty and staff, helps create
209,400 jobs annually, and offers more than 4,000 degree programs that
align with the State's workforce demands;
Whereas the California Community Colleges add $170,300,000,000 in income to the
State's economy, equal to 5 percent of the State's total gross State
product, and support 1,700,000 jobs annually; and
Whereas the public higher education systems in California are a critical and
substantial component to fostering economic growth in the State: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the importance of California's public higher
education systems in driving the economy of California and
contributing to the status of the United States as a world-
leading economy;
(2) acknowledges the substantial work done by California's
Public Higher Education Systems in providing students from
traditionally underserved and low-income communities
opportunities for educational attainment, economic growth, and
personal and professional development at their institutions;
(3) commends the inventions and achievements of students
from California's public colleges in advancing technological,
educational, and social progress; and
(4) reaffirms unwavering commitment to supporting
California's public higher education systems--the University of
California, the California State University, and the California
Community Colleges.
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