Expressing support for the designation of March 2025 as "Music in Our Schools Month".

Bill: 119-hres-257
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]
Introduced: 2025-03-26
Policy area: Education
Latest action: action_date: 2025-03-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Summaries:

tv_txt: IV 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 257 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 26, 2025 Ms. Velázquez (for herself, Ms. Sewell , Mrs. McBath , Mr. Johnson of Georgia , Mr. Mannion , Ms. Stansbury , Ms. Titus , and Ms. Pingree ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of March 2025 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 the cultural heritage of the United States, as music 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 classrooms in the United States 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 ( Public Law 114–95 ; 129 Stat. 1802) 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 programs promotes student engagement, leading to improved social and academic outcomes, particularly for at-risk students; Whereas research has documented that participation in school music programs 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 a disproportionate number of students without access to music education attend schools in urban or rural communities, public schools with a high percentage of students from low-income families, and public schools that are majority Black, Hispanic, or Native American: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1) supports the designation of Music in Our Schools Month ; and (2) recognizes— (A) the fundamental importance of music to the culture of the United States; (B) the long history of music as an integral part of the schools in the United States; (C) the disparate access to high-quality music education that exists across the United States; and (D) the need to do more to support the teaching and learning of music in public schools.