III 

116TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 496 

Supporting the designation of April 16, 2020, as ‘‘Public Radio Music Day’’ 

and expressing deep appreciation for the role of public radio music 

stations in serving listeners, musicians, and hundreds of communities 

across the United States. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

FEBRUARY 11, 2020 

Mr. BLUNT (for himself and Mr. COONS) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the designation of April 16, 2020, as ‘‘Public 

Radio Music Day’’ and expressing deep appreciation for 

the role of public radio music stations in serving listeners, musicians, and hundreds of communities across 

the United States. 

Whereas more than 20,000,000 listeners in the United States 

tune in weekly to local public radio stations to discover, 

learn about, and enjoy music selections, artists, and 

genres that are, in many cases, available only on public 

radio; 

Whereas approximately 734 public radio music stations serve 

rural and urban communities in all 50 States, the DisVerDate Sep 11 2014 22:03 Feb 11, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR496.IS SR496

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•SRES 496 IS 

trict of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 

and Guam; 

Whereas public radio music stations— 

(1) are noncommercial, nonprofit, public service 

radio stations; 

(2) are locally staffed and programmed; and 

(3) share the core values of music discovery, 

curation, preservation, performance, and community; 

Whereas public radio music stations celebrate a broad collection of sounds and styles, including jazz, blues, classical, 

Americana, alternative, folk, roots, bluegrass, and other 

regional and eclectic genres; 

Whereas 97 percent of over-the-air broadcasts of classical 

music in the United States come from local public radio 

stations; 

Whereas public radio music stations are an essential and indispensable force in— 

(1) sustaining music and performers; 

(2) developing artists and audiences; and 

(3) educating and enriching the communities in 

which the stations are located; 

Whereas knowledgeable local hosts, live announcers, and expert curation on public radio music stations have a proven track record of— 

(1) helping audiences discover new and emerging 

musicians; and 

(2) providing deep explorations into the history and 

cultural impact of music; 

Whereas public radio music stations tailor their content and 

programming— 

(1) to reflect regional tastes and talent; and 


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•SRES 496 IS 

(2) to make music more accessible through local performances, studio sessions, artist interviews, music journalism, and local news and performance information; 

Whereas public radio music stations offer audiences, musicians, and artists numerous platforms for innovative 

music programming on air, online, on video, on stage, 

and on-the-go; 

Whereas the emphasis that public radio stations place on 

music presentation enables new, emerging, and essential 

artists to construct deep and lasting relationships with 

audiences, adding to the journey of lifelong music enjoyment; 

Whereas public radio music stations serve as cultural hubs in 

the communities in which those stations are located by 

providing a place for listeners of diverse backgrounds and 

ages to come together for the shared thrill of music; 

Whereas the commitment of public radio to music and education brings the instruments and experience of music to 

schools, hospitals, and other places in the public square 

to ensure wide access to music; 

Whereas the varied and unique activities and attributes of 

public radio music stations— 

(1) foster community among music lovers; 

(2) build support for local artists and the local 

music economy; and 

(3) develop the next generation of musicians and audiences; 

Whereas the core values of public radio music stations and 

the collective commitment of those stations to community 

service, education, and cultural support separates public 

radio music stations from other music providers; and 


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•SRES 496 IS 

Whereas, April 16, 2020, would be an appropriate day to designate as ‘‘Public Radio Music Day’’: Now, therefore, be 

it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) supports the designation of April 16, 2020, 

3 as ‘‘Public Radio Music Day’’; and 

4 (2) expresses deep appreciation for the role of 

5 public radio music stations in serving listeners, mu6 sicians, and hundreds of communities across the 

7 United States. 

Æ 


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