[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 27 (Thursday, February 9, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 54--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF MARCH 
                 2023 AS ``MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH''

  Mr. BOOKER (for himself, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Padilla, and Mr. Tester)


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  On page S331, February 9, 2023, in the second column, the 
following appears: By Mr. BOOKER (for himself, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. 
Tester, and Mr. Padilla):
  
  The online Record has been corrected to read: By Mr. BOOKER (for 
himself, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Padilla, and Mr. Tester):


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submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
               on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                               S. Res. 54

       Whereas music has been present in every known human culture 
     throughout history and modern times;
       Whereas music is one of the most important manifestations 
     of the cultural heritage of the United States, as music 
     embodies our national identity and illustrates our shared 
     history;
       Whereas music education helps communities share ideas and 
     values among cultures and generations, promoting a more 
     cooperative and inclusive citizenry;
       Whereas singing has existed in classrooms in the United 
     States since before the signing of the Declaration of 
     Independence;
       Whereas, in 1838, music as its own curriculum was first 
     adopted by public authority in the public schools of Boston, 
     Massachusetts;
       Whereas the development of a musical people has been and 
     remains dependent on a public commitment to the teaching of 
     music in all schools;
       Whereas State legislatures and educational agencies have 
     supported music as part of the regular school curriculum;
       Whereas the Every Student Succeeds Act (Public Law 114-95; 
     129 Stat. 1802) identified music as part of a well-rounded 
     education;
       Whereas music is a means for exploring the emotional and 
     aesthetic dimensions of the human experience;
       Whereas music holds intrinsic value as an art form, 
     providing opportunity for self-expression, fellowship, and 
     spiritual fulfillment;
       Whereas research has documented that participation in 
     school music programs promotes student engagement, leading to 
     improved social and academic outcomes, particularly for at-
     risk students;
       Whereas research has documented that participation in 
     school music programs also promotes cognitive, social, and 
     emotional development, exercising skills valuable to the 
     workforce such as motivation, attentiveness, self-discipline, 
     teamwork, persistence, empathy, respect, and leadership; and
       Whereas students attending public school in urban or rural 
     communities, public schools with a high percentage of 
     students from low-income families, and public schools that 
     are majority Black, Hispanic, or Native American, experience 
     the most inequity in access to music education: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the designation of ``Music in Our Schools 
     Month''; and
       (2) recognizes--
       (A) the fundamental importance of music to the culture of 
     the United States;
       (B) the long history of music as an integral part of the 
     schools in the United States;
       (C) the disparate access to high-quality music education 
     that exists across the United States; and
       (D) the need to do more to support the teaching and 
     learning of music in public schools.

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