Title: Expressing support for designation of March 2019 as Music in Our Schools Month.
Policy area: Education

Summary:
This resolution supports the designation of Music in Our Schools Month.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 216 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 216

   Expressing support for designation of March 2019 as Music in Our 
                             Schools Month.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 11, 2019

  Ms. Velazquez (for herself and Ms. Norton) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Expressing support for designation of March 2019 as Music in Our 
                             Schools Month.

Whereas music has been present in every known human culture throughout history 
        and modern times;
Whereas music is one of the most important manifestations of our cultural 
        heritage, as it embodies our national identity and illustrates our 
        shared history;
Whereas music education helps communities share ideas and values among cultures 
        and generations, promoting a more cooperative and inclusive citizenry;
Whereas singing has existed in American classrooms since before the signing of 
        the Declaration of Independence;
Whereas, in 1838, music as its own curriculum was first adopted by public 
        authority in the public schools of Boston, Massachusetts;
Whereas the development of a musical people has been and remains dependent on a 
        public commitment to the teaching of music in all schools;
Whereas State legislatures and educational agencies have supported music as part 
        of the regular school curriculum;
Whereas the Every Student Succeeds Act identified music as part of a well-
        rounded education;
Whereas music is a means for exploring the emotional and aesthetic dimensions of 
        the human experience;
Whereas music holds intrinsic value as an art form, providing opportunity for 
        self-expression, fellowship, and spiritual fulfillment;
Whereas research has documented that participation in school music promotes 
        student engagement, leading to improved social and academic outcomes, 
        particularly for at-risk students;
Whereas research has documented that participation in school music also promotes 
        cognitive, social, and emotional development, exercising skills valuable 
        to the workforce such as motivation, attentiveness, self-discipline, 
        teamwork, persistence, empathy, respect, and leadership; and
Whereas racial minorities and students who are of low-socioeconomic backgrounds 
        are less likely to have access to a high-quality music education: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the 
designation of Music in Our Schools Month and recognizes--
            (1) the fundamental importance of music to the Nation's 
        culture;
            (2) the long history of music as an integral part of the 
        Nation's schools;
            (3) the disparate access to high-quality music education 
        that exists across the country; and
            (4) the need to do more to support the teaching and 
        learning of music in public schools.
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