[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 11, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S993-S994]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 496--SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF APRIL 16, 2020, AS 
  ``PUBLIC RADIO MUSIC DAY'' AND EXPRESSING DEEP APPRECIATION FOR THE 
 ROLE OF PUBLIC RADIO MUSIC STATIONS IN SERVING LISTENERS, MUSICIANS, 
          AND HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. BLUNT (for himself and Mr. Coons) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation:

                              S. Res. 496

       Whereas more than 20,000,000 listeners in the United States 
     tune in weekly to local public radio stations to discover, 
     learn about, and enjoy music selections, artists, and genres 
     that are, in many cases, available only on public radio;
       Whereas approximately 734 public radio music stations serve 
     rural and urban communities in all 50 States, the District of 
     Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and Guam;
       Whereas public radio music stations--
       (1) are noncommercial, nonprofit, public service radio 
     stations;
       (2) are locally staffed and programmed; and
       (3) share the core values of music discovery, curation, 
     preservation, performance, and community;
       Whereas public radio music stations celebrate a broad 
     collection of sounds and styles, including jazz, blues, 
     classical, Americana, alternative, folk, roots, bluegrass, 
     and other regional and eclectic genres;
       Whereas 97 percent of over-the-air broadcasts of classical 
     music in the United States come from local public radio 
     stations;
       Whereas public radio music stations are an essential and 
     indispensable force in--
       (1) sustaining music and performers;
       (2) developing artists and audiences; and
       (3) educating and enriching the communities in which the 
     stations are located;
       Whereas knowledgeable local hosts, live announcers, and 
     expert curation on public radio music stations have a proven 
     track record of--
       (1) helping audiences discover new and emerging musicians; 
     and
       (2) providing deep explorations into the history and 
     cultural impact of music;
       Whereas public radio music stations tailor their content 
     and programming--
       (1) to reflect regional tastes and talent; and
       (2) to make music more accessible through local 
     performances, studio sessions, artist interviews, music 
     journalism, and local news and performance information;
       Whereas public radio music stations offer audiences, 
     musicians, and artists numerous platforms for innovative 
     music programming on air, online, on video, on stage, and on-
     the-go;
       Whereas the emphasis that public radio stations place on 
     music presentation enables new, emerging, and essential 
     artists to construct deep and lasting relationships with 
     audiences, adding to the journey of lifelong music enjoyment;
       Whereas public radio music stations serve as cultural hubs 
     in the communities in which those stations are located by 
     providing a place for listeners of diverse backgrounds and 
     ages to come together for the shared thrill of music;
       Whereas the commitment of public radio to music and 
     education brings the instruments and experience of music to 
     schools, hospitals, and other places in the public square to 
     ensure wide access to music;
       Whereas the varied and unique activities and attributes of 
     public radio music stations--
       (1) foster community among music lovers;
       (2) build support for local artists and the local music 
     economy; and
       (3) develop the next generation of musicians and audiences;
       Whereas the core values of public radio music stations and 
     the collective commitment of those stations to community 
     service, education, and cultural support separates public 
     radio music stations from other music providers; and
       Whereas April 16, 2020, would be an appropriate day to 
     designate as ``Public Radio Music Day'': Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the designation of April 16, 2020, as ``Public 
     Radio Music Day''; and
       (2) expresses deep appreciation for the role of public 
     radio music stations in serving listeners, musicians, and 
     hundreds of communities across the United States.

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