III 

117TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 444 

Expressing support for the designation of ‘‘Public Radio Music Day’’ and 

deep appreciation for the role of public radio music stations in serving 

listeners, musicians, and hundreds of communities in the United States. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

NOVEMBER 4, 2021 

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

which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the designation of ‘‘Public Radio 

Music Day’’ and deep appreciation for the role of public 

radio music stations in serving listeners, musicians, and 

hundreds of communities in the United States. 

Whereas more than 25,000,000 listeners in the United States 

tune in weekly to local noncommercial 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 691 public radio music stations serve 

rural and urban communities in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam; 

Whereas local public radio music stations celebrate a broad 

collection of sounds and styles, including jazz, blues, clasVerDate Sep 11 2014 23:59 Nov 04, 2021 Jkt 029200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR444.ATS SR444

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•SRES 444 ATS 

sical, Americana, alternative, folk, roots, bluegrass, and 

other regional and eclectic genres; 

Whereas 96 percent of over-the-air broadcasts of classical 

music in the United States comes from local public radio 

stations; 

Whereas local, noncommercial, not-for-profit, public radio 

music stations are an essential and indispensable force 

in— 

(1) developing artists and audiences; 

(2) sustaining music and performers; and 

(3) educating and enriching their communities; 

Whereas local public radio music stations are locally staffed 

and programmed and share core values of music discovery, curation, preservation, and performance with 

their communities; 

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— 

(1) tailor their content and programming to reflect 

regional tastes and talent; 

(2) make music more accessible through local performances, studio sessions, artist interviews, and music 

journalism; and 

(3) broadcast news and information about the local 

music industry; 


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•SRES 444 ATS 

Whereas public radio music stations connect musicians and 

artists with local audiences through an expanding range 

of platforms, including over-the-air, on-stage, and digital 

and social media; 

Whereas the emphasis of public radio music stations on 

music presentation enables new, emerging, and essential 

artists to build deep and lasting relationships with audiences, adding to the journey of lifelong music enjoyment; 

Whereas public radio music stations serve as cultural hubs in 

their communities by providing a place for listeners of diverse backgrounds and ages to come together for the 

shared thrill of music and to support the local music 

economy; 

Whereas local public radio stations partner with schools, hospitals, and other community organizations to provide instruments and musical experiences to underserved populations and promote broad access to music for the public; 

Whereas, throughout the Coronavirus Disease 2019 

(COVID–19) pandemic, public radio stations have confronted significant challenges in protecting the health of 

station employees and maintaining broadcast operations 

while continuing to provide audiences with high-quality 

music from local artists and musicians; 

Whereas, during the COVID–19 pandemic, public radio 

music stations have endeavored to support the well-being 

of communities through the unifying power of music, including by maintaining connections with artists through 

in-home concerts and other specialized programming; 

Whereas the demonstrated commitment of public radio music 

stations to community service, education, and cultural 


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•SRES 444 ATS 

support separates nonprofit local public radio stations 

from other music providers; and 

Whereas, November 10, 2021, 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 ‘‘Public Radio 

3 Music Day’’; and 

4 (2) expresses its deep appreciation for the role 

5 of public radio music stations, particularly during 

6 the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19) pan7 demic, in serving listeners, musicians, and hundreds 

8 of communities in the United States. 

Æ 


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