III 119THCONGRESS 1 STSESSION S. RES. 139 Expressing support for the designation of March 2025 as ‘‘Music in Our Schools Month’’. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES MARCH26, 2025 Mr. B OOKER(for himself and Mr. PADILLA) submitted the following resolu- tion; 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 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; Whereas singing has existed in classrooms in the United States since before the signing of the Declaration of Independence; VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:32 Mar 27, 2025 Jkt 059200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR139.IS SR139 ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 139 IS 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 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 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:32 Mar 27, 2025 Jkt 059200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR139.IS SR139 ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 139 IS that are majority Black, Hispanic, or Native American: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) supports the designation of March 2025 as 2 ‘‘Music in Our 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 00:32 Mar 27, 2025 Jkt 059200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR139.IS SR139 ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS