S.Res. 139

114 SRES 139 IS: Expressing support for the designation of March 2025 as “Music in Our Schools Month”.
 U.S. Senate
 2025-03-26
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 III  119th CONGRESS  1st Session  S. RES. 139  IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES   March 26, 2025   Mr. Booker  (for himself and  Mr. Padilla ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the  Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions    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
That the Senate—
(1)
supports the designation of March 2025 as  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.