IV 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 389
Supporting the goals and ideals of The Year of the Museum. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 26, 2005
Ms. SLAUGHTER (for herself and Mr. SHAYS) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Government Reform 
RESOLUTION 
Supporting the goals and ideals of The Year of the Museum.
Whereas museums are institutions of public service and edu-
cation that foster exploration, study, observation, critical 
thinking, contemplation and dialogue to advance a great-
er public knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of 
history, science, the arts, and the natural world; 
Whereas Americans, according to survey data, view museums 
as one of the most important resources for educating our 
children; and museums have a long-standing tradition of 
inspiring curiosity in our Nation’s schoolchildren by de-
voting more than $1 billion and more than 18 million in-
structional hours annually for elementary and secondary 
education programs in communities across America 
through creative partnerships with schools; and by involv-
ing professional development for teachers, bringing trav-
eling exhibits to local schools, digitizing materials for ac-
•HRES 389 IH 
cess nationwide, creating electronic and printed edu-
cational materials that use local and State curriculum 
standards; and by and hosting interactive school field 
trips; 
Whereas museums serve as community landmarks that con-
tribute to the livability and economic vitality of commu-
nities through expanding tourism; and that museums 
rank in the top three family vacation destinations; revi-
talize downtowns, often with signature buildings; attract 
relocating businesses, by enhancing quality of life; pro-
vide shared community experiences and meeting places; 
and serve as a repository and resource for each commu-
nity’s unique history, culture, achievements, and values; 
Whereas the Nation’s more than 16,000 museums found in 
9 out of every 10 counties in the United States receive 
approximately 865,000,000 visits annually from people of 
all ages and backgrounds, with attendance being free at 
more than half of these museums; 
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 family in sig-
nificance to creating a strong connection to 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 million objects and living specimens in the 
public trust to preserve and protect our cultural and nat-
ural heritage for our current and future generations; 
Whereas museums are increasingly entering into new partner-
ships with community educational institutions that in-
•HRES 389 IH 
clude schools, universities, libraries, public broadcasting, 
and 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which 
then, as partners, reach across community boundaries to 
provide broader impact and synergy for their educational 
programming; 
Whereas supporting the goals and ideals of The Year of the 
Museum would give Americans the opportunity to cele-
brate the contributions museums have made to American 
culture and life over the past 100 years; and 
Whereas in 2006, American museums are celebrating 100 
years of cooperation as a profession and their collective 
contribution to our communities: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
(1) supports the goals and ideals of The Year 
of the Museum; and 
(2) requests that the President issue a procla-
mation calling upon the people of the United States 
to observe such a year with appropriate programs 
and activities.
Æ