[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 257 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 257

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


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 26, 2025

  Ms. Velazquez (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
    Resolved, 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.
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