SENATE RESOLUTION 496--SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF APRIL 16, 2020, AS ``PUBLIC RADIO MUSIC DAY'' AND EXPRESSING DEEP APPRECIATION FOR THE ROLE OF PUBLIC RADIO MUSIC STATIONS IN SERVING LISTENERS...; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 28
(Senate - February 11, 2020)
Formatting necessary for an accurate reading of this text may be shown by tags (e.g., <DELETED> or <BOLD>) or may be missing from this TXT display. For complete and accurate display of this text, see the PDF.
[Pages S993-S994]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 496--SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF APRIL 16, 2020, AS
``PUBLIC RADIO MUSIC DAY'' AND EXPRESSING DEEP APPRECIATION FOR THE
ROLE OF PUBLIC RADIO MUSIC STATIONS IN SERVING LISTENERS, MUSICIANS,
AND HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES
Mr. BLUNT (for himself and Mr. Coons) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation:
S. Res. 496
Whereas more than 20,000,000 listeners in the United States
tune in weekly to local public radio stations to discover,
learn about, and enjoy music selections, artists, and genres
that are, in many cases, available only on public radio;
Whereas approximately 734 public radio music stations serve
rural and urban communities in all 50 States, the District of
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and Guam;
Whereas public radio music stations--
(1) are noncommercial, nonprofit, public service radio
stations;
(2) are locally staffed and programmed; and
(3) share the core values of music discovery, curation,
preservation, performance, and community;
Whereas public radio music stations celebrate a broad
collection of sounds and styles, including jazz, blues,
classical, Americana, alternative, folk, roots, bluegrass,
and other regional and eclectic genres;
Whereas 97 percent of over-the-air broadcasts of classical
music in the United States come from local public radio
stations;
Whereas public radio music stations are an essential and
indispensable force in--
(1) sustaining music and performers;
(2) developing artists and audiences; and
(3) educating and enriching the communities in which the
stations are located;
Whereas knowledgeable local hosts, live announcers, and
expert curation on public radio music stations have a proven
track record of--
(1) helping audiences discover new and emerging musicians;
and
(2) providing deep explorations into the history and
cultural impact of music;
Whereas public radio music stations tailor their content
and programming--
(1) to reflect regional tastes and talent; and
(2) to make music more accessible through local
performances, studio sessions, artist interviews, music
journalism, and local news and performance information;
Whereas public radio music stations offer audiences,
musicians, and artists numerous platforms for innovative
music programming on air, online, on video, on stage, and on-
the-go;
Whereas the emphasis that public radio stations place on
music presentation enables new, emerging, and essential
artists to construct deep and lasting relationships with
audiences, adding to the journey of lifelong music enjoyment;
Whereas public radio music stations serve as cultural hubs
in the communities in which those stations are located by
providing a place for listeners of diverse backgrounds and
ages to come together for the shared thrill of music;
Whereas the commitment of public radio to music and
education brings the instruments and experience of music to
schools, hospitals, and other places in the public square to
ensure wide access to music;
Whereas the varied and unique activities and attributes of
public radio music stations--
(1) foster community among music lovers;
(2) build support for local artists and the local music
economy; and
(3) develop the next generation of musicians and audiences;
Whereas the core values of public radio music stations and
the collective commitment of those stations to community
service, education, and cultural support separates public
radio music stations from other music providers; and
Whereas April 16, 2020, would be an appropriate day to
designate as ``Public Radio Music Day'': Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) supports the designation of April 16, 2020, as ``Public
Radio Music Day''; and
(2) expresses deep appreciation for the role of public
radio music stations in serving listeners, musicians, and
hundreds of communities across the United States.
[[Page S994]]
____________________