RECOGNIZING THE HISPANIC ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (HACU) NATIONAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM -- HON. SILVESTRE REYES (Extensions of Remarks - June 28, 2002)

HON. SILVESTRE REYES OF TEXAS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, June 27, 2002

• Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I rise today to recognize the achievements of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) National Internship Program and its federal and private-sector partners in providing Hispanic college students with invaluable real world working experiences that have allowed these students to make more educated career choices.
   
• Over the past ten years, the HACU National Internship Program (HNIP) has introduced more than 3,800 Hispanic college students to meaningful paid internships with federal and corporate partners during the spring, summer and fall. This has become the largest Hispanic college internship program in the United States.
   
• The HACU National Internship Program exposes these students to public and private sector career opportunities and specifically helps address the historic under-representation of Hispanics in the federal work force. Many former interns are now full-time federal employees and managers, proving that the program truly is making a difference.
   
• On July 10, 2002, the HACU National Internship Program will celebrate its 10th Anniversary at a ``Red, White y Azul--Investing in the American Dream,'' Gala in Washington, D.C. This gala will showcase the achievements of former and current interns as part of a summer-long series of special events marking this remarkable program's first 10 years.
   
• The HACU National Internship program began in 1992 with 24 interns. In 2001 alone, the program provided paid 10- and 15-week internships to 632 interns working at 19 federal agencies and five private corporations in Washington, D.C., and at locations throughout the United States. By the end of 2002, the program likely will set another record in the numbers of participating interns from throughout the country.
   
• This competitive program selects top students from among HACU's 318 member and partner colleges and universities, which collectively serve more than two-thirds of all Hispanic students in higher education. This program provides meaningful work experiences to these students by matching their skills and career goals with the objectives of federal and corporate partners, enabling these students to make more informed career choices.
   
• Based on formal program evaluations from students and supervisors, the HACU National Internship Program boasts a proven track record in positively addressing the underrepresentation of Hispanics in the federal work force. Ninety-five percent of students surveyed in 2001 rated their internship experience in the federal government as ``excellent.'' More importantly, 73 percent of the 2001 summer students stated that they are interested in pursuing a career in federal service. Of those students, 82 percent said it was a direct result of their internship experience.
   
• Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that Hispanics remain the only under-represented ethnic group in the federal government. As you know, Hispanics currently comprise 11.9 percent of the civilian labor force but only 6.7 percent of the permanent federal workforce. Recent reports also estimate that within the next five years, more that 50 percent of the current federal work force will become eligible to retire.
   
• As the youngest and now largest ethnic population, Hispanics already make up one of every three new workers in the overall workforce, and by 2050 are projected to make up one of every two new workers. Thus, the HACU National Internship Program directly addresses both the historic under-representation of Hispanics in the federal labor force and the need to address the coming shortage of public service sector employees overall.
   
• In addition, this program fully supports White House Executive Order 13171, which requests that federal agencies increase their outreach to the Latino community and support programs that help address the continuing under-representation of Hispanics in federal workforce ranks. The HACU National Internship Program is Point Four in the Office of Personnel Management Nine-Point Hispanic Employment Initiative as an effective, proven tool to recruit well-qualified Hispanics into the federal government.
   
• I salute those who have made the HACU National Internship Program a success. Their efforts will continue to open the doors to opportunity for new generations of exceptional students while enhancing the diversity of our workforce.

< Back