March 5, 2026
Mr. Booker (for himself, Mr. Padilla, and Mr. Luján) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
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
Sec.
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.