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Home > Press Room Archives > 2005 > Press Release
Press Release
LULAC Calls for Preservation of
Top 10% Admissions Rule National Board Supports Continuation of
Successful Policy
March 30, 2005
Austin, TX
– The National Board of the League of United
Latin American Citizens voted unanimously to
support the continuation of a Texas law that
guarantees college admission to students who
rank in the top 10 percent of their high school
class. Citing the 10 percent plan’s success at
increasing diversity in Texas public
universities, LULAC opposes any attempts to
abolish the law.
“It is clear to
anyone who looks at enrollment data that the 10%
plan has increased diversity in our colleges and
universities,” stated Hector M. Flores, LULAC
National President. “If the 10% plan were to be
abolished it would destroy the tremendous
opportunity that the program has created and
turn back the clock on diversity in Texas.”
The university
admissions law was adopted after a 1996 5th U.S.
Circuit Court of Appeals decision that
eliminated affirmative action in Texas college
admissions. Since the 10% law was passed, the
number of Hispanic and black students admitted
to Texas universities has more than doubled.
“Texas LULAC is
firmly in support of preserving the 10%
admissions rule,” stated Roger C. Rocha, Jr.,
LULAC Texas State Director. “This rule provides
an equal opportunity for all Texans to receive a
good education and achieve the American dream.”
LULAC plans to
lobby the Texas legislature to preserve the plan
which had been championed by the late Texas
Legislator Irma Rangel.
“Representative
Rangel pioneered this landmark legislation and
it was supported by President George W. Bush
when he was Governor,” stated Flores. “LULAC
commends Texas Senator Royce West from Dallas
and other legislators for their ardent support
of the 10% plan. We won’t let the opponents of
equal opportunity jettison this plan simply
because it has proven to be effective.”
The League of United Latin American Citizens
(LULAC) is the oldest and largest Latino civil
rights organization in the United States. LULAC
advances the economic condition, educational
attainment, political influence, health, and
civil rights of Hispanic Americans through
community-based programs run by more than 700
LULAC councils nationwide.
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