Expressing support for designation of March 2023 as Music in Our Schools Month.

IV 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 119 Expressing support for designation of March 2023 as Music in Our Schools Month. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FEBRUARY 9, 2023 Ms. VELA´ZQUEZ (for herself, Mr. HIGGINS of New York, Mr. TONKO, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Mr. LYNCH, Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN, Ms. LEE of California, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. NADLER, Ms. ROSS, Ms. OCASIO-COR- TEZ, Mr. KEATING, Mrs. HAYES, Mr. GARCI´A of Illinois, Mr. BOWMAN, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. CICILLINE, and Mr. EVANS) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce RESOLUTION Expressing support for 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 our cultural heritage, as it embodies our national iden- tity 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; VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:30 Feb 10, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR119.IH HR119 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 2 •HRES 119 IH Whereas singing has existed in American classrooms since be- fore the signing of the Declaration of Independence; Whereas, in 1838, music as its own curriculum was first adopted by public authority in the public schools of Bos- ton, Massachusetts; Whereas the development of a musical people has been and remains dependent on a public commitment to the teach- ing of music in all schools; Whereas State legislatures and educational agencies have supported music as part of the regular school curriculum; Whereas the Every Student Succeeds Act identified music as part of a well-rounded education; Whereas music is a means for exploring the emotional and aesthetic dimensions of the human experience; Whereas music holds intrinsic value as an art form, providing opportunity for self-expression, fellowship, and spiritual fulfillment; Whereas research has documented that participation in school music promotes student engagement, leading to improved social and academic outcomes, particularly for at-risk students; Whereas research has documented that participation in school music also promotes cognitive, social, and emotional de- velopment, exercising skills valuable to the workforce such as motivation, attentiveness, self-discipline, team- work, persistence, empathy, respect, and leadership; and Whereas students attending public school in urban or rural communities, public schools with a high percentage of students from low-income families, and public schools that are majority Black, Hispanic, or Native American VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:30 Feb 10, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR119.IH HR119 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 3 •HRES 119 IH experience the most inequity in access to music edu- cation: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports 1 the designation of Music in Our Schools Month and recog- 2 nizes— 3 (1) the fundamental importance of music to the 4 Nation’s culture; 5 (2) the long history of music as an integral part 6 of the Nation’s schools; 7 (3) the disparate access to high-quality music 8 education that exists across the country; and 9 (4) the need to do more to support the teaching 10 and learning of music in public schools. 11 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:30 Feb 10, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR119.IH HR119 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB