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

IV 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. VELA´ZQUEZ (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 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; Whereas singing has existed in American classrooms since be- fore the signing of the Declaration of Independence; VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:44 Mar 12, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR216.IH HR216 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 216 IH 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 racial minorities and students who are of low-socio- economic backgrounds are less likely to have access to a high-quality music education: 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 VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:44 Mar 12, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR216.IH HR216 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 216 IH (1) the fundamental importance of music to the 1 Nation’s culture; 2 (2) the long history of music as an integral part 3 of the Nation’s schools; 4 (3) the disparate access to high-quality music 5 education that exists across the country; and 6 (4) the need to do more to support the teaching 7 and learning of music in public schools. 8 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:44 Mar 12, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR216.IH HR216 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS