U.S. House Resolution Supporting School-Based Music Education Passes Unanimously

U.S. House Resolution Supporting School-Based Music Education Passes Unanimously
Resolution Demonstrates Congress’ Continued Support of the Importance of Music Education for All Children.


Members of Congress discussed the benefits and importance of school-based music education for children on the House floor today resulting in the passage of House Concurrent Resolution 121. After some discussion, the Resolution was passed unanimously, showing a display of continued support from Congress for music education as part of a complete education for all children.

NAMM recently met with Reps. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.) and Jon Porter (R-Nev.), providing them with research outlining the many social, developmental and educational benefits for school-aged children who receive music education in the school curriculum. Reps. Cooper and Porter presented the bi-partisan Resolution with strong support last year, and this year, more than 25 cosponsors signed the Resolution.

The Resolution states that learning music in schools is important because it develops skills needed by the 21st century workforce such as critical thinking, creative problem solving, effective communication and team work; keeps students engaged in school and makes them more likely to graduate; and helps students achieve in other academic subjects such as math, science and reading.

“A lot of folks who have had the privilege of a music education take it for granted,” said Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.). “But 30 million or more of our children across this country every day are being deprived of that chance to not only experience the joy of music but as my colleagues have mentioned, the increased and enhanced learning abilities that music offers and also the ability of music to deter people from gangs and drugs and other undesirable activities…Whether it’s band or whether it’s orchestra or whether it’s students on their own learning the guitar or other instruments, it’s a wonderful way to not only enjoy life but to enhance their skills.”

"My passion for music began in the first grade with my parent’s encouragement for which I am deeply grateful,” said Rep. Jon Porter (R-Nev.) “It has been the greatest gift. Music brings people together whether it is at church, in school or at a concert. The discipline and teamwork I learned throughout the years, playing individually or collaboratively have been invaluable lessons applicable to every aspect of my life."

“One of the basic reasons that every child must have an education in music is that music is a part of the fabric of our society,” said Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) “The intrinsic value of music for each individual is widely recognized in the many cultures that make up American life. Music helps shape individual abilities and character. Success in society is predicated on success in school. Skills learned through the discipline of music transfer to study skills, communication skills and the cognitive skills useful in every part of the curriculum. Participation in music brings countless benefits to every individual throughout life. The benefits may be psychological, spiritual or physical. I ask my colleagues to support this Resolution and support the next generation of music lovers.”

“Research has shown that students’ involvement in their school music program is crucial to a complete education,” said Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.). “Musical study develops critical thinking and self-discipline skills and improves a child’s early cognitive development, basic math and reading abilities, self-esteem, SAT scores, ability to work in teams, spatial reasoning skills and school attendance. In an analysis by the U.S. Department of Education [outlining] data on more than 25,000 secondary school students, research has found that students who report consistent high levels of involvement in instrumental music over the middle and high school years showed significantly higher levels of mathematics proficiency by grade 12 regardless of a student’s socioeconomic status.”

“This Resolution expressing support for music education is a message from the U.S. Congress that music education is a critical element of a complete education for all children,” said Mary Luehrsen, director of public affairs and government relations at NAMM. “The Resolution also serves to remind states and local communities to assure access to music education for all students and that music education stands along side other core academic subjects in helping students achieve in school and in life. Music and arts education are, for many students, the reason for coming to and staying in school. This Resolution supports the ongoing work of educators, parents and citizens who believe that music education is not a frill or extra-curricular activity—it is basic to a whole education for every child.”

Cosponsors of the bill included Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.), Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), Rep. John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.), Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.), Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-Tenn.), Rep. Susan Davis (D-Calif.), Rep. John Duncan, Jr. (R-Tenn.), Rep Bob Etheridge (D-N.C.), Rep. Baron Hill (D-Ind.), Rep. Ruben Hinojosa (D-Texas), Rep. Rush Holt (D-N.J.), Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.), Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wis.), Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.), Rep. James McGovern (D-Mass.), Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), Rep. Dennis Moore (D-Kan.), Rep. James Moran (D-Va.), Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, (D-D.C.), Rep. Donald Payne (D-N.J.), Rep. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.), Rep. Louise McIntosh Slaughter (D-N.Y.), Rep. John Spratt (D-S.C.), Rep. John Tanner (D-Tenn.), Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Ma.), Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.), Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.), Rep. Kenny Hulshof (R-Mo.).

The Glass Castle

I just finished reading "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls. I heard about the book through WPTT-AM talk radio host Lynn Cullen. The book is part of the Allegheny County Library Association One Book One Community program.

I recommend this book to anyone. It tells the story of Jeannette Walls and her family as they move around the country and are basically homeless. Her parents would argue that they are homeless by choice. I haven't come down as to what I feel about the parents. Where they bad? Where they good? I can't make a judgement just yet, but I can say they were certainly excentric.

I'm not going to go into all of the details of the book, but I do recommend the book to you.

Here's a few of my biggest reactions to the book.
1) It amazes me how much Jeannette remembers from her childhood. Could any of us write in so much detail what Jeannette remembers? I really don't think I could. And especially after having been through so many experiences, would you be able to remember so much with so much detail?

2) Jeannette wrote something so very noteworthy to me. I guess I find it so interesting because I can realate so much to this, but never realized it. Jeannette joined her high school newspaper and loved it because she got to go and cover all the exciting events that happen when you're in high school. These are not normal events that she would have found herself attending because she felt out of place, but when she was there as a reporter, she felt a purpose and was about to be a part of the things that she once felt out-cast from being a part of. I wonder to myself if that's why I was so into my former journalism career. I look at the journalism world now and am sickened at what I see and am generally happy to not be a part of it.

Anyway, a very interesting book that will certainly make you think. Check it out.

Virginia Tech

I'm sure there will be a lot of talk about the media coverage of the killings at Virgina Tech and gun control and campus safety.

But, take a look at this story. You may have already seen it. This is the Virgina Tech Marching Band making a surprise visit to the hospital where some shooting victims were staying. Make sure to watch the video clip.

Progressive's Bill Schultz

These pictures come to us courtesy of Fender. They are pictures of Bill Schultz who ran Fender. He started his career right here at Progressive Music. We believe these pictures to be taken when Progressive was at 811 Walnut Street. That is two buildings ago.

More on Bill Schultz at www.fender.com/billschultz - worth checking out.

Dozens in GOP Turn Against Bush's Prized 'No Child' Act

Dozens in GOP Turn Against Bush's Prized 'No Child' Act
By Jonathan Weisman and Amit R. Paley
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, March 15, 2007; Page A01


More than 50 GOP members of the House and Senate -- including the House's second-ranking Republican -- will introduce legislation today that could severely undercut President Bush's signature domestic achievement, the No Child Left Behind Act, by allowing states to opt out of its testing mandates.

For a White House fighting off attacks on its war policy and dealing with a burgeoning scandal at the Justice Department, the GOP dissidents' move is a fresh blow on a new front. Among the co-sponsors of the legislation are House Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), a key supporter of the measure in 2001, and John Cornyn (R-Tex.), Bush's most reliable defender in the Senate. Rep. Eric Cantor (Va.), the House GOP's chief deputy whip and a supporter in 2001, has also signed on.

Burson Snyder, a spokesman for Blunt, said that after several meetings with school administrators and teachers in southwest Missouri, the House Republican leader turned against the measure he helped pass. Blunt was convinced that the burdens and red tape of the No Child Left Behind Act are unacceptably onerous, Snyder said.

Some Republicans said yesterday that a backlash against the law was inevitable. Many voters in affluent suburban and exurban districts -- GOP strongholds -- think their schools have been adversely affected by the law. Once-innovative public schools have increasingly become captive to federal testing mandates, jettisoning education programs not covered by those tests, siphoning funds from programs for the talented and gifted, and discouraging creativity, critics say.

To be sure, key lawmakers would like to reauthorize the law this year. Ranking Republicans on the House and Senate education committees are pushing for a renewal. And key Democrats, including Rep. George Miller (Calif.) and Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (Mass.), the chairmen of the House and Senate committees responsible for drafting an updated No Child Left Behind Act, are strong supporters, although they want large increases in funding and more emphasis on teacher training and development.

Still, Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-Mich.), author of the new House bill, said the number of Republicans already backing the new measure exceeds the 41 House Republicans and Democrats who voted against the original legislation in 2001. Of the House bill's co-sponsors, at least eight voted for the president's plan six years ago.

"President Bush and I just see education fundamentally differently," said Hoekstra, a longtime opponent of the law. "The president believes in empowering bureaucrats in Washington, and I believe in local and parental control."

As Congress considers reauthorizing the No Child Left Behind Act, the GOP rebellion could grow, conceded Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (Calif.), the ranking Republican on the House Education and Labor Committee and a key ally of the president on the issue. "It was a struggle getting it passed last time. It'll be even more of a struggle this time," he said.

Under Hoekstra's bill, any state could essentially opt out of No Child Left Behind after one of two actions. A state could hold a referendum, or two of three elected entities -- the governor, the legislature and the state's highest elected education official -- could decide that the state would no longer abide by the strict rules on testing and the curriculum.

The Senate bill is slightly less permissive, but it would allow a state to negotiate a "charter" with the federal government to get away from the law's mandates.

In both cases, the states that opt out would still be eligible for federal funding, but those states could exempt any education program but special education from No Child Left Behind strictures.

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) said that advocates do not intend to repeal the No Child Left Behind Act. Instead, they want to give states more flexibility to meet the president's goals of education achievement, he said. As a House member in 2001, DeMint opposed No Child Left Behind when it first came to a vote, but he voted for it on final passage.

"So many people are frustrated with the shackles of No Child Left Behind," DeMint said. "I don't think anyone argues with measuring what we're doing, but the fact is, even the education community . . . sees us just testing, testing, testing, and reshaping the curriculum so we look good."

Parent unrest in places such as Scarsdale, N.Y., and parts of suburban Michigan could affect members of Congress. Connecticut has sued the government over the law, while legislatures in Virginia, Colorado and heavily Republican Utah have moved to supersede it.

Republican lawmakers involved in crafting the new legislation say Education Secretary Margaret Spellings and other administration officials have moved in recent days to tamp down dissent within the GOP. Since January, Spellings has met or spoken with about 40 Republican lawmakers on the issue, said Katherine McLane, the Education Department's press secretary.

"We've made a lot of progress in the past five years in serving the children who have traditionally been underserved in our education system," McLane said. "Now is not the time to roll back the clock on those children."

But so far, the administration's efforts have borne little fruit, Republican critics said.

"Republicans voted for No Child Left Behind holding their noses," said Michael J. Petrilli, an Education Department official during Bush's first term who is now a critic of the law. "But now with the president so politically weak, conservatives can vote their conscience."

A Progressive Legend on Drums

Look at this YouTube video. Playing drums with Benny Goodman is a legend of days gone by at Progressive Music, Hud Davies.