IV 112th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 574 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 7, 2012 Mr. Kildee (for himself, Ms. DeLauro, Ms. Fudge, and Ms. Woolsey) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce RESOLUTION Expressing support for designation of the week of March 12, 2012, through March 16, 2012, as National Young Audiences Week.

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 arts education enables students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, imagination and creativity, discipline, alternative ways to communicate and express feelings and 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 is an economic engine and plays a significant 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 the Young Audiences impacts over 5,000,000 schoolchildren annually with valuable arts-in-education programs; Whereas Young Audiences presents nearly 100,000 arts-in-education programs to students and teachers; Whereas Young Audiences works with 5,000 professional teaching artists; Whereas Young Audiences produces programs in nearly 7,000 schools and community centers annually; Whereas Young Audiences ensures the highest standards of arts-in-education programs; Whereas Young Audiences creates and disseminates learning resources and ideas for inspiring children, teachers, and volunteers, and supports opportunities for schools, communities, educators, and families to engage in the arts together; Whereas 2012 marks the 60th anniversary of the creation of Young Audiences; and Whereas the week of March 12, 2012, through March 16, 2012, would be an appropriate week to designate as Young Audiences Week: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)supports the designation of National Young Audiences Week; (2)honors and recognizes the contributions which Young Audiences programs have made in enriching the lives of students, teachers, volunteers, families, and communities and pays tribute to arts-in-education and its contribution to society; and (3)encourages the people of the United States to observe National Young Audiences Week with appropriate ceremonies and activities that promote awareness of the role that arts-in-education plays in enriching the education of young people and enriching United States society as a whole.