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[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 628 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 628
Expressing support for the designation of March 2026 as ``Music in Our
Schools Month''.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 5, 2026
Mr. Booker (for himself, Mr. Padilla, and Mr. Lujan) submitted the
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for the designation of March 2026 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 Senate--
(1) supports the designation of March 2026 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.
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