[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5592]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 437--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF THE YEAR OF 
                               THE MUSEUM

  Mr. ENZI (for himself, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Jeffords, Mr. 
Coleman, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Lautenberg, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. 
Akaka, Mr. Isakson, and Mr. Dodd) submitted the following resolution; 
which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 437

       Whereas museums are institutions of public service and 
     education that foster exploration, study, observation, 
     critical thinking, contemplation, and dialogue to advance a 
     greater public knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of 
     history, science, the arts, and the natural world;
       Whereas, according to survey data, the people of the United 
     States view museums as one of the most important resources 
     for educating children;
       Whereas museums have a long-standing tradition of inspiring 
     curiosity in schoolchildren that is a result of investments 
     of more than $1,000,000,000 and more than 18,000,000 
     instructional hours annually for elementary and secondary 
     education programs in communities across the United States, 
     creative partnerships with schools, professional development 
     for teachers, traveling exhibits to local schools, 
     digitization of materials for access nationwide, creation of 
     electronic and printed educational materials that use local 
     and State curriculum standards, and the hosting of 
     interactive school field trips;
       Whereas museums serve as community landmarks that 
     contribute to the livability and economic vitality of 
     communities through expanding tourism;
       Whereas museums rank in the top 3 family vacation 
     destinations, revitalize downtowns (often with signature 
     buildings), attract relocating businesses by enhancing 
     quality of life, provide shared community experiences and 
     meeting places, and serve as a repository and resource for 
     each community's unique history, culture, achievements, and 
     values;
       Whereas there are more than 16,000 museums in the United 
     States and admission is free at more than half of these 
     museums;
       Whereas approximately 865,000,000 people visit museums 
     annually and these people come from all ages, groups, and 
     backgrounds;
       Whereas research indicates Americans view museums as one of 
     the most trustworthy sources of objective information and 
     believe that authentic artifacts in history museums and 
     historic sites are second only to their families in 
     significance in creating a strong connection with the past;
       Whereas museums enhance the public's ability to engage as 
     citizens, through developing a deeper sense of identity and a 
     broader judgment about the world, and by holding more than 
     750,000,000 objects and living specimens in the public trust 
     to preserve and protect the cultural and natural heritage of 
     the United States for current and future generations;
       Whereas museums are increasingly entering into new 
     partnerships with community educational institutions that 
     include schools, universities, libraries, public 
     broadcasting, and 21st Century Community Learning Centers, 
     and these partnerships reach across community boundaries to 
     provide broader impact and synergy for their community 
     educational programs;
       Whereas supporting the goals and ideals of the Year of the 
     Museum would give Americans the opportunity to celebrate the 
     contributions museums have made to American culture and life 
     over the past 100 years; and
       Whereas in 2006, museums of the United States are 
     celebrating 100 years of collective contribution to our 
     communities: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate supports the goals and ideals of 
     the Year of the Museum.

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