[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 11392]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 33--RECOGNIZING THE BENEFITS AND 
               IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL-BASED MUSIC EDUCATION

  Mr. ALEXANDER (for himself, Mr. Dodd, and Mr. Kennedy) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution, which was referred to the Committee on 
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                            S. Con. Res. 33

       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 Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That 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 in the United 
     States.

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