What This Bill Does
This resolution expresses Senate support for naming March 2023 as "Music in Our Schools Month." The resolution recognizes the importance of music to American culture and acknowledges unequal access to music education across the country.
Who It Affects
Students in public schools, particularly those in urban or rural communities, schools serving low-income families and schools that are majority Black, Hispanic or Native American.
Key Provisions
The Senate supports the designation of "Music in Our Schools Month" (Sec. 1(1)).
The Senate recognizes the fundamental importance of music to United States culture (Sec. 1(2)(A)).
The Senate recognizes the long history of music as an integral part of schools in the United States (Sec. 1(2)(B)).
The Senate recognizes the disparate access to high-quality music education that exists across the United States (Sec. 1(2)(C)).
The Senate recognizes the need to do more to support the teaching and learning of music in public schools (Sec. 1(2)(D)).
Important Definitions
None defined.
III
118TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
S. RES. 54
Expressing support for the designation of March 2023 as ‘‘Music in Our
Schools Month’’.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
FEBRUARY 9, 2023
Mr. BOOKER (for himself, Ms. DUCKWORTH, Mr. PADILLA, and Mr. TESTER)
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for the designation of March 2023 as
‘‘Music in Our Schools Month’’.
Whereas music has been present in every known human cul-
ture 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;
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•SRES 54 IS
Whereas, in 1838, music as its own curriculum was first
adopted by public authority in the public schools of Bos-
ton, Massachusetts;
Whereas the development of a musical people has been and
remains dependent on a public commitment to the teach-
ing 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 emo-
tional development, exercising skills valuable to the work-
force such as motivation, attentiveness, self-discipline,
teamwork, persistence, empathy, respect, and leadership;
and
Whereas students attending public school 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,
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•SRES 54 IS
experience the most inequity in access to music edu-
cation: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
1
(1) supports the designation of ‘‘Music in Our
2
Schools Month’’; and
3
(2) recognizes—
4
(A) the fundamental importance of music
5
to the culture of the United States;
6
(B) the long history of music as an inte-
7
gral part of the schools in the United States;
8
(C) the disparate access to high-quality
9
music education that exists across the United
10
States; and
11
(D) the need to do more to support the
12
teaching and learning of music in public
13
schools.
14
Æ
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