[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 30, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7943-S7944]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 128--DESIGNATING MARCH 2000, AS ``ARTS EDUCATION 
                                MONTH''

  Mr. COCHRAN submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 128

       Whereas arts literacy is a fundamental purpose of schooling 
     for all students;
       Whereas arts education stimulates, develops and refines 
     many cognitive and creative skills, critical thinking and 
     nimbleness in judgment, creativity and imagination, 
     cooperative decisionmaking, leadership, high-level literacy 
     and communication, and the capacity for problem posing and 
     problem-solving;
       Whereas arts education contributes significantly to the 
     creation of flexible, adaptable, and knowledgeable workers 
     who will be needed in the 21st century economy;
       Whereas arts education improves teaching and learning;
       Whereas when parents and families, artists, arts 
     organizations, businesses, local civic and cultural leaders, 
     and institutions are actively engaged in instructional 
     programs, arts education is more successful;
       Whereas effective teachers of the arts should be encouraged 
     to continue to learn and grow in mastery of their art form as 
     well as in their teaching competence;
       Whereas the 1999 study, entitled ``Gaining the Arts 
     Advantage: Lessons from School Districts that Value Arts 
     Education'', found that the literacy, education, programs, 
     learning and growth described in the preceding clauses 
     contribute to successful districtwide arts education;
       Whereas the 1997 National Assessment of Educational 
     Progress reported that students lack sufficient opportunity 
     for participatory learning in the arts;
       Whereas educators, schools, students, and other community 
     members recognize the importance of arts education; and
       Whereas arts programs, arts curriculum, and other arts 
     activities in schools across the Nation should be encouraged 
     and publicly recognized: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF ARTS EDUCATION MONTH.

       The Senate--
       (1) designates March 2000, as ``Arts Education Month''; and
       (2) encourages schools, students, educators, parents, and 
     other community members to engage in activities designed to--
       (A) celebrate the positive impact and public benefits of 
     the arts;
       (B) encourage all schools to integrate the arts into the 
     school curriculum;
       (C) spotlight the relationship between the arts and student 
     learning;
       (D) demonstrate how community involvement in the creation 
     and implementation of arts policies enriches schools;
       (E) recognize school administrators and faculty who provide 
     quality arts education to students;
       (F) provide professional development opportunities in the 
     arts for teachers;
       (G) create opportunities for students to experience the 
     relationship between participation in the arts and developing 
     the life skills necessary for future personal and 
     professional success;
       (H) increase, encourage, and ensure comprehensive, 
     sequential arts learning for all students;
       (I) honor individual, class, and student group achievement 
     in the arts; and
       (J) increase awareness and accessibility to live 
     performances, and original works of art.
 Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, today I am submitting a Senate 
Resolution to designate March, 2000 as Arts Education Month. This 
legislation complements S. 1293, the Congressional Recognition for 
Excellence in Arts Education Act, which I introduced earlier this week.
  Instruction in music, visual arts, theater and dance occurs in 
schools across the nation. There is growing awareness of arts education 
as a serious academic subject with a list of benefits that include 
ensuring America's arts traditions, higher I.Q.'s, better SAT scores, 
better math and language skills, less juvenile delinquency, better 
chances of

[[Page S7944]]

higher education, and increased job opportunities.
  The National Assessment of Education Progress, The College Board, The 
U.S. Department of Justice, The National Endowment for the Arts, and 
scientific research on the brain have all recently reported evidence of 
the multiple advantages of arts instruction. For example, the July 5, 
1999 issue of Time magazine has a report titled, ``Fingers, Brains and 
Mozart'' which highlights recent brain research and the positive 
effects of music instruction.
  It is time for the United States Senate to recognize the achievements 
and efforts in arts education in all schools. I hope that by 
designating March, 2000 as Arts Education Month, more schools will 
engage in activities that showcase celebrate, reward and provide new 
arts experiences.
  I invite all of my colleagues to join me in sponsoring Arts Education 
Month.

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