[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 275 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        H.Con.Res.275
                                     Agreed to December 22, 2010        

                      One Hundred Eleventh Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE SECOND SESSION

          Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
             the fifth day of January, two thousand and ten


                          Concurrent Resolution

Whereas arts education, comprising a rich array of disciplines 
  including dance, music, theatre, media arts, literature, design, and 
  visual arts, is a core academic subject and an essential element of a 
  complete and balanced education for all students;

Whereas according to Albert Einstein, ``After a certain high level of 
  technical skill is achieved, science and art tend to coalesce in 
  esthetics, plasticity, and form. The greatest scientists are artists 
  as well.'';

Whereas arts education enables students to develop critical thinking 
  and problem solving skills, imagination and creativity, discipline, 
  alternative ways to communicate and express ideas, and cross-cultural 
  understanding, which supports academic success across the curriculum 
  as well as personal growth outside the classroom;

Whereas the nonprofit arts sector contributes to the economy and plays 
  an important role in the economic health of communities large and 
  small with direct expenditures of wages and benefits as well as goods 
  and services;

Whereas to succeed in today's economy, students must masterfully use 
  words, images, sounds, and movement to communicate;

Whereas as the Nation works to strengthen its foothold in the 21st 
  century global economy, the arts equip students with a creative, 
  competitive edge;

Whereas where schools and communities are delivering high-quality 
  learning opportunities in, through, and about the arts for children, 
  extraordinary results occur;

Whereas studies have shown that schools with large populations of 
  students in poverty can be transformed into vibrant hubs of learning 
  through arts education;

Whereas studies have also found that eighth graders from underresourced 
  environments who are highly involved in the arts have better grades, 
  less likelihood of dropping out by grade ten, have more positive 
  attitudes about school, and are more likely to go onto college;

Whereas attracting and retaining the best teachers is vital and can be 
  achieved by ensuring that schools embrace the arts, becoming havens 
  for creativity and innovation;

Whereas arts education has the power to make students want to learn not 
  just within the arts, but other areas of study;

Whereas art is integral to the lives of many United States citizens and 
  can improve the vitality of communities and the Nation; and

Whereas the week beginning on the second Sunday of September would be 
  an appropriate week to designate as Arts in Education Week: Now, 
  therefore, be it

    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
        (1) supports the designation of Arts in Education Week;
        (2) calls on governors, mayors, and other elected officials 
    from across the United States to issue proclamations to raise 
    awareness of the value and importance of arts in education; and
        (3) encourages the President to issue a proclamation 
    encouraging the people of the United States to observe such week 
    with appropriate activities.
Attest:

                                 Clerk of the House of Representatives.

Attest:

                                               Secretary of the Senate.