[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 185 (Wednesday, December 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2504]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO THE NATIONAL ANTHEM PROJECT

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                     HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 5, 2007

  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to 
recognize The National Anthem Project a 3-year national education 
campaign, led by our Nation's music educators, to raise awareness of 
the importance of music programs in our Nation's schools.
  The National Anthem Project was launched by the National Association 
for Music Education in 2005, in response to a survey conducted by 
Harris Interactive. The Harris Poll showed that two out of three 
Americans did not know the words to ``The Star-Spangled Banner.'' The 
National Association for Music Education believes that this lack of 
knowledge, concerning the words and history of our national anthem, is 
a direct reflection of the quality of music education in our Nation's 
schools.
  Music programs are considered an important part of a well-rounded 
education. Research shows that music programs help students perform 
better in math and science. Music education also provides students with 
a greater appreciation of America's musical heritage and history, as 
most Americans learn the national anthem and other patriotic songs at 
school.
  The goal of the National Anthem Project was to ``restore America's 
voice,'' by re-teaching Americans to sing ``The Star-Spangled Banner'' 
and by spotlighting the important role of music programs in our 
Nation's schools. The 3-year project began on March 10, 2005, with a 
kick-off celebration on Capital Hill. The kick-off was followed by a 
nationwide Road Show tour in 2006 and hundreds of additional project-
inspired events. The National Anthem Project came to a close in June of 
2007, with a 3-day Grand Finale on the grounds of the Washington 
Monument. The Finale featured over 5,000 participants, including 
celebrities, Drum Corps International, music teachers, and students 
from all across the United States, who gathered together to celebrate 
the achievements of the National Anthem Project and, of course, to sing 
the national anthem.
  The National Anthem Project has been a great success. Not only has 
the project succeeded in re-teaching the words and history of our 
national anthem, but it has also inspired people all over the country 
to have a greater appreciation of America's musical heritage and the 
importance of music education in our Nation's schools. The National 
Anthem Project has garnered significant news coverage from thousands of 
news outlets across the country, including Fox News, CNN, and Good 
Morning America. The success of The National Anthem Project has even 
received the attention of the Senate, which passed a Resolution in July 
of 2007 in support of the project's goals and ideals. It is my pleasure 
to share with you today the achievements of the National Anthem 
Project.

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