III 

109TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 437 

Supporting the goals and ideals of the Year of the Museum. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

APRIL 6, 2006 

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 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the goals and ideals of the Year of the Museum. 

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 


wwhite on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
2 

•SRES 437 ATS

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 


wwhite on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
3 

•SRES 437 ATS

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 

1 Resolved, That the Senate supports the goals and 

2 ideals of the Year of the Museum. 

Æ 


wwhite on PROD1PC65 with BILLS