HCR45hMAR4

TheWeekInCongress.com

Week Ending March 4, 2005

House Concurrent Resolution 45 recognizing the benefits and importance of school-based music education, and for other purposes.

BRIEF

The resolution notes that students involved in school music programs are less likely to be involved in drug abuse and crime and suggests the correlation that inner city schools have virtually no access to music education. Further, the resolution suggests that school music programs are early victims of budget cuts and could deprive as many as 30 million US students from music education as part of their overall education.

The resolution’s suggestion that NAMM, the International Music Products Association, should be recognized for its effort to emphasize “the importance of school music programs in the academic and social development of children” underscores another potential result of cutting school music programs through school budget cuts: 9,000 NAMM members in 85 countries that make a living selling instruments and music products stand to take a loss.

Sponsor: Representative Jim Cooper (D-TN-5^th)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote (Mar.1, 2005)

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost.

MORE INFORMATION

HCR 45

Recognizing the benefits and importance of school-based music education, and for other purposes.

Whereas school music programs enhance intellectual development and enrich the academic environment for students of all ages;

Whereas students who participate in school music programs are less likely to be involved with drugs, gangs, or alcohol and have better attendance in school;

Whereas the skills gained through sequential music instruction, including discipline and the ability to analyze, solve problems, communicate, and work cooperatively, are vital for success in the 21st century workplace;

Whereas the majority of students attending public schools in inner city neighborhoods have virtually no access to music education, which places them at a disadvantage compared to their peers in other communities;

Whereas local budget cuts are predicted to lead to significant curtailment of school music programs, thereby depriving as many as 30,000,000 students of an education that includes music;

Whereas music is a core academic subject;

Whereas every student in the United States should have an opportunity to reap the benefits of music education; and

Whereas NAMM, the International Music Products Association, highlights during the month of March the important role that school music programs play in the academic and social development of children: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That--

(1) it is the sense of the Congress that music education grounded in rigorous instruction is an important component of a well-rounded academic curriculum and should be available to every student in every school; and

(2) the Congress recognizes NAMM, the International Music Products Association, for its efforts to emphasize the importance of school music programs in the academic and social development of children.

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