IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 119 

Expressing support for designation of March 2023 as Music in Our Schools 

Month. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

FEBRUARY 9, 2023 

Ms. VELA ́ZQUEZ (for herself, Mr. HIGGINS of New York, Mr. TONKO, Mr. 

BISHOP of Georgia, Mr. LYNCH, Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN, Ms. LEE of 

California, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. NADLER, Ms. ROSS, Ms. OCASIO-CORTEZ, Mr. KEATING, Mrs. HAYES, Mr. GARCI ́A of Illinois, Mr. BOWMAN, 

Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. CICILLINE, and Mr. EVANS) submitted the following 

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the 

Workforce 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for designation of March 2023 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 our cultural heritage, as it 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; 


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2 

•HRES 119 IH 

Whereas singing has existed in American classrooms 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 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 promotes student engagement, leading to improved 

social and academic outcomes, particularly for at-risk 

students; 

Whereas research has documented that participation in school 

music 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 


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•HRES 119 IH 

experience the most inequity in access to music education: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports 

2 the designation of Music in Our Schools Month and recog3 nizes— 

4 (1) the fundamental importance of music to the 

5 Nation’s culture; 

6 (2) the long history of music as an integral part 

7 of the Nation’s schools; 

8 (3) the disparate access to high-quality music 

9 education that exists across the country; and 

10 (4) the need to do more to support the teaching 

11 and learning of music in public schools. 

Æ 


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