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[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 437 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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 
        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.
                                 <all>
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