[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 67 (Wednesday, April 25, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H4082-H4083]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING BENEFITS AND IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL-BASED MUSIC EDUCATION

  Ms. CLARKE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 121) recognizing the benefits and 
importance of school-based music education, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 121

       Whereas school music programs enhance intellectual 
     development and enrich the academic environment for students 
     of all ages;
       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 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 gentlewoman from 
New York (Ms. Clarke) and the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. 
Wilson) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York.
  Ms. CLARKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Ms. CLARKE asked and was given permission to revise and extend her 
remarks.)
  Ms. CLARKE. Mr. Speaker, H. Con. Res. 121, recognizing the benefits 
and importance of school-based music education, and for other purposes, 
I would like to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. 
Cooper), for bringing this resolution to the floor.
  One of the basic reasons that every child must have an education in 
music is that music is a part of the fabric of our society. The 
intrinsic value of music for each individual is widely recognized in 
the many cultures that make up American life.
  Music helps shape individual abilities and character. Success in 
society is predicated on success in school. Skills learned through the 
discipline of music transfer to study skills, communication skills, and 
the cognitive skills useful in every part of the curriculum.

[[Page H4083]]

  Participation in music brings countless benefits to every individual 
throughout life. The benefits may be psychological, spiritual or 
physical. I ask my colleagues to support this resolution and support 
the next generation of music lovers.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 
121, which highlights the benefits and importance of school-based music 
education. I would like to thank the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. 
Cooper) and the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Porter) for their leadership 
on this issue and for introducing this resolution we are considering 
today.
  Research has shown that students' involvement in their school music 
program is crucial to a complete education. Musical study develops 
critical thinking and self-discipline skills and improves a child's 
early cognitive development, basic math and reading abilities, self-
esteem, SAT scores, ability to work in teams, spatial reasoning skills, 
and school attendance.
  In an analysis by the U.S. Department of Education, data on more than 
25,000 secondary school students, researchers found that students who 
report consistent high levels of involvement in instrumental music over 
the middle and high school years showed significantly higher levels of 
mathematics proficiency by grade 12 regardless of a student's 
socioeconomic status.
  A 1999 report by the Texas Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse found 
that individuals who participated in band or orchestra reported the 
lowest levels of current and lifelong use of tobacco, alcohol and 
illicit drugs. So it is not surprising that children involved with 
music education are more likely to graduate from high school and attend 
college and are less likely to be involved with gangs and substance 
abuse.
  In fact, many colleges and universities view participation in the 
arts and music as a valuable experience that broaden students' 
understanding and appreciation of the world around them.
  For these reasons, I support H. Con. Res. 121. The resolution states 
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.
  Music education is important to our children. It can broaden and 
strengthen their education and improve their lives. I join my 
colleagues in commending music educators and organizations across the 
country for the key roles they play in helping our students succeed in 
school and throughout life.
  As former President Gerald Ford said, ``Music education opens the 
doors that help children pass from school into the world around them, a 
world of work, culture, intellectual activity and human involvement. 
The future of our Nation depends on providing our children with a 
complete education that includes music.''
  I urge my colleagues to support House Con. Res. 121 and music 
education in our schools.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. CLARKE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cooper), the sponsor of 
the resolution.
  Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman.
  I thank my colleagues for supporting this effort to highlight the 
importance of music education in our schools.
  A lot of folks who have had the privilege of a musical education take 
it for granted, but 30 million or more of our children across this 
country every day are being deprived of that chance to not only 
experience the joy of music but, as my colleagues have mentioned, the 
increased enhanced learning abilities that music offers, and also the 
ability of music to deter people from gangs and drugs and other 
undesirable activities.
  Music education is a very important part of our education. For anyone 
who has seen the movie ``Mr. Holland's Opus'' featuring Richard 
Dreyfuss, that was a wonderful film demonstration of the importance of 
music in the lives of that particular high school. But it is true of 
every high school and every middle school and every elementary school 
across our country.
  Whether it is band or orchestra, or whether it is students on their 
own learning the guitar or other instruments, it is a wonderful way to 
not only enjoy life but to enhance your skills.
  Mr. Speaker, I represent Nashville, Tennessee, which is Music City 
U.S.A. We have some of the most talented and creative musicians on the 
planet, and they happen to choose to live in our wonderful city.
  You can't tell it by driving down the streets, but there are some 
3,000 private recording studios in the basements and attics of people's 
homes as they put their music and their thoughts on tape for the 
pleasure and enjoyment and the education of the world.
  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate your help in allowing this measure to be 
brought to the floor. It has passed the House on two previous 
Congresses. We are hoping that this time the Senate will also see fit 
to do the right thing and pass this legislation.
  Ms. CLARKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Clarke) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 121.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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