[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 41 (Tuesday, April 4, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H1415-H1417]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE BENEFITS AND IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL-BASED MUSIC EDUCATION

  Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 355) recognizing the benefits and 
importance of school-based music education, and for other purposes, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 355

       Whereas school music programs enhance intellectual 
     development and enrich the academic environment for students 
     of all ages;

[[Page H1416]]

       Whereas students who participate in school music programs 
     are less likely to be involved with drugs, gangs, or alcohol 
     and have better attendance in school;
       Whereas the skills gained through sequential music 
     instruction, including discipline and the ability to analyze, 
     solve problems, communicate, and work cooperatively, are 
     vital for success in the 21st century workplace;
       Whereas the majority of students attending public schools 
     in inner city neighborhoods have virtually no access to music 
     education, which places them at a disadvantage compared to 
     their peers in other communities;
       Whereas local budget cuts are predicted to lead to 
     significant curtailment of school music programs, thereby 
     depriving millions of students of an education that includes 
     music;
       Whereas the arts are a core academic subject, and music is 
     an essential element of the arts; and
       Whereas every student in the United States should have an 
     opportunity to reap the benefits of music education: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that music 
     education grounded in rigorous instruction is an important 
     component of a well-rounded academic curriculum and should be 
     available to every student in every school.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Keller) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.


                             General Leave

  Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on 
House Concurrent Resolution 355.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
and I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 355, which 
highlights the benefits and importance of school-based music education.
  Anyone who has seen the movie, Mr. Holland's Opus, can appreciate the 
value of school-based music education and the importance of music 
teachers who inspire our young people. I would like to thank my 
colleague from Tennessee (Mr. Cooper) for his leadership on this issue 
and for introducing the resolution we are considering today.
  Research has shown that students' involvement in their school music 
program is crucial to a complete education. Musical studies develop 
critical thinking and self-discipline skills and improve a child's 
early cognitive development, basic math and reading abilities, self-
esteem, SAT scores, ability to work in teams, abstract reasoning 
skills, and school attendance.
  In an analysis of U.S. Department of Education data on more than 
25,000 secondary school students, researchers found that students who 
report consistently high levels of involvement in music over middle 
school and high school years show significantly higher levels of 
mathematics proficiency by grade 12 regardless of a student's 
socioeconomic status.
  For these reasons, I support House Concurrent Resolution 355 that 
recognizes the benefits and importance of school-based music education. 
The resolution before the House today is simple and straightforward. It 
states that it is the sense of Congress that music education, grounded 
in rigorous instruction, is an important component of a well-rounded 
academic curriculum and should be available to every student in every 
school.
  As retired General Norman Schwarzkopf said, ``What a tragedy it would 
be if we lived in a world where music was not taught to children.'' 
Music education is important to our children. It can broaden and 
strengthen their education and improve their lives. I commend music 
educators and organizations across the country for the key roles they 
play in helping our children succeed in school and throughout life.
  For every ``School of Rock'' or ``Mr. Holland's Opus,'' there are 
thousands of real-life music teachers inspiring our young people every 
day. They may not have major movies made about them, but they are 
heroes nonetheless. I urge my colleagues to support music education in 
our schools and House Concurrent Resolution 355, which highlights the 
benefits and importance of school-based music education.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to join my colleagues in thanking 
Congressman Cooper for introducing House Concurrent Resolution 355, 
which recognizes the benefits and importance of school-based music 
education. He has been steadfast in his support of music as a learning 
tool in the classroom, and we appreciate his work on this issue.
  Mr. Speaker, every year schools throughout the country highlight the 
importance of music education. It is time to celebrate music and to use 
music as a means for enhancing the academic experience of students. 
While there has been much debate on how to teach students to read and 
to perform math, there is little debate that music contributes to 
overall learning ability.
  We know that students who participate consistently in music 
activities over middle and high school show significantly higher levels 
of math proficiency by the 12th grade. Additional data shows 
correlations between music and higher SAT scores and a decrease in 
disciplinary problems and risky behavior. Students who are involved in 
music classes in school have higher self-esteem and self-confidence 
than their counterparts who do not participate in music class.
  Unfortunately, even with all the data to support the importance of 
music in learning, many schools are struggling to keep art and music in 
the classroom. Mr. Speaker, music education is facing severe cuts in 
thousands of school districts throughout the Nation due to budget cuts. 
Instead of being able to fund programs to support music in the 
classroom, student choirs, and high school bands, local school 
districts find themselves struggling to find money for teachers' 
salaries.
  Mr. Speaker, we must do better if we are committed to seeing to it 
that all children succeed. And for those who say that the three R's of 
reading, writing, and arithmetic should outweigh the arts and music in 
priority, I disagree. Music is a complementary academic subject and 
belongs right alongside math and reading.
  In fact, the arts are considered a core academic subject under No 
Child Left Behind. This reflects an understanding by Congress and the 
President that the arts are critical to a well-rounded education.
  Again, I would like to thank Mr. Cooper for bringing this resolution 
to the floor today and join with him in calling for more resources to 
our schools and to make sure that all children have access to music in 
the classroom.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield such time 
as he may consume to the author of this resolution, my friend from 
Tennessee (Mr. Cooper).
  Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, Mr. Bishop; my friend, 
Mr. Keller; and also Mr. Porter. This is a truly bipartisan resolution. 
As has been explained, it expresses the sense of the Congress of the 
United States that music should be a key part of the curriculum of 
every public school for every child. Music is vitally important for the 
education of our young people, and this expresses the sense of this 
great body, this institution, that it must be a part of our school 
systems.
  Mr. Speaker, I have the privilege of representing Nashville, 
Tennessee. That is also known as Music City USA, so you would know that 
I would be for a resolution like this, but all of us should be, in both 
parties. In the other body, Senator Hatch and Senator Feinstein are 
likely to be the leads on the legislation, but I hope that every school 
district across this country, every parent will realize the importance 
of music as a key part of the curriculum, not a luxury add-on, but a 
key part of their child's education.
  All of us love sports, and most all our schools have pretty good 
athletic programs. A lot of focus is put on that. But the chance of a 
child actually becoming a successful pro athlete is sometimes pretty 
small, whereas the chance of a child who has the ability to learn 
music, of whatever type, it might be band, it might be piano, or chorus 
or

[[Page H1417]]

voice, there are a variety of opportunities, the chance is probably far 
greater that that child will be able to go on and develop some sort of 
career in the musical field; or perhaps music will be a hobby, an add-
on to their career.
  Some of the most successful people in the world, such as software 
engineers and mathematicians, other folks like that, have music as a 
hobby, so it is a vitally important part of our curriculum. I think it 
is also an emotional need that so many of us have.
  If anyone has seen the great movie, Mr. Holland's Opus, it helps show 
how young people, sometimes unlikely young people, can benefit from a 
musical education.
  So I appreciate my friends across the aisle and my friend Mr. Bishop 
from Long Island championing this measure to make sure that music is a 
part of our curriculum in all of our schools for all of our students.
  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. 
Con. Res. 355, recognizing the importance of school based music 
education. In today's climate of high stakes testing, it's important to 
recognize that skills learned through studying music translate to 
skills that help students succeed in life.
  Empirical data suggest that music students perform higher than their 
counterparts on the Scholastic Aptitude Test, and also demonstrate 
higher math skills. Studies also show that students who participate in 
a band or orchestra show the lowest lifetime use of alcohol, tobacco 
and illicit drugs. Students that participate in music classes are less 
likely to be disruptive students in class. Among minority students, 
more identify their music teachers as role models than any other 
subject area. These students demonstrate higher self-esteem and 
thinking skills than their counterparts.
  As a parent, I know that students who learn to think critically, 
perform analysis, and express themselves through written and verbal 
communication have a greater chance at success in life. Within a larger 
context, music is an essential cultural thread. How many people, 
whether listening to the O'Jay's, Bon Jovi, or Jill Scott, know that 
the term ``Rock and Roll'' is African American slang dating back to the 
early 20th Century? But music, whether rock and roll, classical, or 
jazz has come to mean much more. Within my district, the Rock and Roll 
Hall of Fame and Museum and the Cleveland Institute of Music provide 
music history and distance learning programs for many schools that 
haven't been able to afford their own music education teachers. The 
usefulness of these music programs underscores the importance of 
filling student needs at a time when our society needs better teaching 
methods and a greater understanding of diversity, not less.
  Educators with whom I meet, often express frustration that compressed 
school schedules and the focus on high stakes testing are failing to 
help our children develop the critical thinking skills needed to 
compete in an increasingly complex world. Music education aids critical 
thinking and more. I believe it imperative that we recognize its 
importance in the lives of our children, and strive to make school 
based music education available to all of America's youth.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this resolution, H. 
Con. Res. 355, recognizing the benefits and importance of school-based 
music education programs.
  I have long been a strong advocate for music education programs, both 
in my home State of Maryland and nationally. I believe that music 
education should be available to students of all ages and a part of 
every student's academic experience.
  Music education programs enrich the whole student, and are a critical 
component of a well-rounded academic curriculum. In my home State of 
Maryland, educators and administrators have worked to integrate music 
and arts programs into academic curriculums in order to provide 
students with these important benefits. At a time when education 
programs are struggling for adequate funding and State and local 
governments across the country face tremendous budget pressures, it is 
more important than ever to highlight and emphasize the importance of 
music education programs.
  I frequently meet with artists, songwriters, musicians and other 
creators who are actively engaged in ensuring that schools and 
communities continue to work music and arts into the school curriculum. 
These artists know that music education can enhance intellectual 
development and skills integral to improved learning. Skills learned 
through the study of music help children become better students. Skills 
learned through music transfer to improve study skills, communication 
skills, and cognitive skills. Also, studies have shown that students 
involved in music classes are less likely to be disruptive, have better 
attendance, and are more likely to receive academic honors and awards.
  Studies have also shown that participation in school-based music 
education can increase student success. For example, in 2001 the 
College-Bound Seniors National Report showed that students with 
coursework in music performance and music appreciation scored notably 
higher on the SATs than students with no arts participation. Studies 
have shown that participation in music class correlates with increased 
proficiency in mathematics and success in science.
  We must place a high value on music education. I am pleased to be a 
cosponsor of this resolution supporting the importance of music 
education programs and urging that the benefits of music education 
should be available to every student.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
strong support of H. Con. Res. 355, recognizing the benefits and 
importance of school-based music education.
  Providing students with the opportunity to learn music is an 
essential component of a well-rounded education. Often times music 
programs are considered to be extracurricular activities, whose value 
and funding are disputed. The benefits and opportunities that music 
programs provide for students greatly outweigh the financial costs. 
Music classes enhance students' self esteem and social skills. In 
addition, several studies have shown that learning music increases 
students' abilities at reading and math. Learning music requires 
discipline and responsibility. This training persists throughout music 
students' academic careers.
  I am fortunate enough to have one of the Nation's eminent arts 
schools in my district, the Booker T. Washington High School for the 
Performing and Visual Arts. More than 700 diverse students attend 
Booker T. Washington, where talent and drive are the most important 
components for admission. Booker T. Washington has an outstanding 
success rate, graduating 99 percent of its students to higher 
education. The program has graduated 17 Grammy winners, including Nora 
Jones, Erykah Badu, and Roy Hargrove.
  Booker T. Washington is so successful due to the presence of 
outstanding teachers and rigorous curriculum that provides students 
with a well rounded education. In addition, Booker T. Washington has 
brought technology to the forefront of music education and development. 
These students use computers for everything from ear training to 
recording and sound production. Dedication, enthusiasm, and proper 
resources has made Booker T. Washington one of the most successful arts 
schools in the country.
  Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Keller) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 355, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution, as 
amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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