[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 15 (Friday, February 15, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S975-S976]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           DESIGNATING MARCH 2002 AS ``ARTS EDUCATION MONTH''

  Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent the Judiciary 
Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 44 and 
the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, the clerk will report the 
resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 44) designating each of March 2001, 
     and March 2002, as ``Arts Education Month.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent the resolution be 
amended with the amendment at the desk and the resolution as amended 
and the preamble be agreed to; that the amendment to the title be 
agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and any 
statements be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendment (No. 2920) was agreed to, as follows:

     (Purpose: To designate March 2002 as ``Arts Education Month'')

       On page 2, lines 4 and 5, strike ``each of March 2001, and 
     March 2002,'' and insert ``March 2002''.

  The resolution (S. Res. 44), as amended, was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                               S. Res. 44

       Whereas the Congressional Recognition for Excellence in 
     Arts Education Act (Public Law 106-533) was approved by the 
     106th Congress by unanimous consent;
       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

[[Page S976]]

     and grow in mastery of their art form as well as in their 
     teaching competence;
       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 each of March 2001, and March 2002, 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.

  The amendment to the title (No. 2921) was agreed to, as follows:

       Amend the title so as to read: ``Designating March 2002 as 
     `Arts Education Month'.''.

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