119-sres139

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 139 Introduced in Senate

    (IS) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
S. RES. 139

Expressing support for the designation of March 2025 as ``Music in Our 
 Schools Month''.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 March 26, 2025

 Mr. Booker (for himself and Mr. Padilla) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, 
 Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

Expressing support for the designation of March 2025 as ``Music in Our 
 Schools Month''.

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 a disproportionate number of students without access to music education 
 attend schools 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: Now, therefore, be it
 Resolved, That the Senate--

    (1) supports the designation of March 2025 as ``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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