IV
119THCONGRESS
1
STSESSION H. RES. 257
Expressing support for the designation of March 2025 as ‘‘Music in Our
Schools Month’’.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH26, 2025
Ms. V
ELA´ZQUEZ(for herself, Ms. SEWELL, Mrs. MCBATH, Mr. JOHNSONof
Georgia, Mr. M
ANNION, 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 cul-
ture 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;
VerDate Sep 11 2014 20:55 Mar 26, 2025 Jkt 059200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR257.IH HR257
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS 2
•HRES 257 IH
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 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 (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 emo-
tional development, exercising skills valuable to the work-
force such as motivation, attentiveness, self-discipline,
teamwork, persistence, empathy, respect, and leadership;
and
VerDate Sep 11 2014 20:55 Mar 26, 2025 Jkt 059200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR257.IH HR257
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS 3
•HRES 257 IH
Whereas a disproportionate number of students without ac-
cess 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
(1) supports the designation of ‘‘Music in Our 2
Schools Month’’; and 3
(2) recognizes— 4
(A) the fundamental importance of music 5
to the culture of the United States; 6
(B) the long history of music as an inte-7
gral part of the schools in the United States; 8
(C) the disparate access to high-quality 9
music education that exists across the United 10
States; and 11
(D) the need to do more to support the 12
teaching and learning of music in public 13
schools. 14
Æ
VerDate Sep 11 2014 20:55 Mar 26, 2025 Jkt 059200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR257.IH HR257
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS