119-hres442

[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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