February 5, 2026
Mr. Heinrich (for himself, Mr. Daines, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Bennet, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Durbin, Mrs. Fischer, Mr. Gallego, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Hoeven, Mr. Kelly, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Luján, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Peters, Ms. Rosen, Mr. Rounds, Mr. Schatz, Mr. Sheehy, Ms. Smith, Ms. Warren, and Mr. Sanders) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to
Designating the week beginning February 2, 2026, as National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week
.
Whereas there are 35 Tribal Colleges and Universities operating on more than 90 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 Native languages, which—
(1)
enhances Indian communities; and
(2)
enriches the United States as a Nation;
Whereas Tribal Colleges and Universities provide access to high-quality postsecondary educational opportunities for—
(1)
American Indians;
(2)
Alaska Natives; and
(3)
other individuals that live 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 prepare students to succeed in the global and highly competitive workforce;
Whereas, in fiscal year 2023, alumni from Tribal Colleges and Universities contributed $3.8 billion to the national economy, which is the equivalent of supporting 40,732 jobs;
Whereas, in fiscal year 2023, for every $1.00 spent on Tribal Colleges and Universities—
(1)
students of those colleges and universities gain $7.50 in lifetime earnings;
(2)
taxpayers gain $1.60 in added tax revenue and public sector savings; and
(3)
society gains $4.80 in added income and social savings;
Whereas Tribal Colleges and Universities have open enrollment policies, and approximately 16 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
That the Senate—
(1)
designates the week beginning February 2, 2026, as National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week
; and
(2)
calls on the people of the United States and interested groups to observe National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week with appropriate activities and programs to demonstrate support for Tribal Colleges and Universities.