[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 54 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 54

Expressing support for the designation of March 2023 as ``Music in Our 
                            Schools Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            February 9, 2023

 Mr. Booker (for himself, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Padilla, and Mr. Tester) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
               on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing support for the designation of March 2023 as ``Music in Our 
                            Schools Month''.

Whereas music has been present in every known human culture throughout history 
        and modern times;
Whereas music is one of the most important manifestations of the cultural 
        heritage of the United States, as music embodies our national identity 
        and illustrates our shared history;
Whereas music education helps communities share ideas and values among cultures 
        and generations, promoting a more cooperative and inclusive citizenry;
Whereas singing has existed in classrooms in the United States since before the 
        signing of the Declaration of Independence;
Whereas, in 1838, music as its own curriculum was first adopted by public 
        authority in the public schools of Boston, Massachusetts;
Whereas the development of a musical people has been and remains dependent on a 
        public commitment to the teaching of music in all schools;
Whereas State legislatures and educational agencies have supported music as part 
        of the regular school curriculum;
Whereas the Every Student Succeeds Act (Public Law 114-95; 129 Stat. 1802) 
        identified music as part of a well-rounded education;
Whereas music is a means for exploring the emotional and aesthetic dimensions of 
        the human experience;
Whereas music holds intrinsic value as an art form, providing opportunity for 
        self-expression, fellowship, and spiritual fulfillment;
Whereas research has documented that participation in school music programs 
        promotes student engagement, leading to improved social and academic 
        outcomes, particularly for at-risk students;
Whereas research has documented that participation in school music programs also 
        promotes cognitive, social, and emotional development, exercising skills 
        valuable to the workforce such as motivation, attentiveness, self-
        discipline, teamwork, persistence, empathy, respect, and leadership; and
Whereas students attending public school in urban or rural communities, public 
        schools with a high percentage of students from low-income families, and 
        public schools that are majority Black, Hispanic, or Native American, 
        experience the most inequity in access to music education: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the designation of ``Music in Our Schools 
        Month''; and
            (2) recognizes--
                    (A) the fundamental importance of music to the 
                culture of the United States;
                    (B) the long history of music as an integral part 
                of the schools in the United States;
                    (C) the disparate access to high-quality music 
                education that exists across the United States; and
                    (D) the need to do more to support the teaching and 
                learning of music in public schools.
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