Title: A 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.
Policy area: Arts, Culture, Religion

Summary:
This resolution supports the designation of April 16, 2020, as Public Radio Music Day. It also expresses deep appreciation for the role of public radio music stations in serving listeners, musicians, and hundreds of communities in the United States.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 496 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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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 District 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

    (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
Whereas, April 16, 2020, would be an appropriate day to designate as ``Public 
        Radio Music Day'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the designation of April 16, 2020, as ``Public 
        Radio Music Day''; and
            (2) expresses deep appreciation for the role of public 
        radio music stations in serving listeners, musicians, and 
        hundreds of communities across the United States.
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