The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation has honored Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Committee on Education and Labor, with the organization’s SupportMusic Champion Award.
The award was presented in recognition of the Chairman’s unwavering commitment to music and the arts and for his role as one of the primary authors and champion of the Every Student Succeeds Act in 2015. The Act reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act for the first time in 13 years and replaced the No Child Left Behind Act. Additionally, in 2017, he worked to secure passage of legislation to reform and update the nation’s career and technical education system, as well as the juvenile justice system in 2018, both of which were signed into law by President Donald Trump.
“Through Chairman Scott’s commitment to meaningful education reform and bipartisan leadership in the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act, more students have access to music and the arts today than ever before,” said Mary Luehrsen, director of the NAMM Foundation. “His work is a testament to the notion that music can change lives, and we applaud his efforts to ensure that all school-aged children have this opportunity.”
Upon receipt, the Chairman shared, “I want to thank the National Association of Music Merchants for promoting music and arts education in public schools. We know that access to music and art programs can be a powerful tool for improving student engagement, attendance, and outcomes. We must continue the important work of ensuring that all students have access to high-quality arts and music programs that enrich their development and lead to better educational outcomes.”
The SupportMusic Champion Award was presented by Former Secretary of Education Richard Riley at a reception held in concert with NAMM’s Annual Advocacy Fly-In to Support Music Education before a delegation of over 100 leaders in the music products industry, professional musicians, and representatives from the VH1 Save the Music Foundation, the College Music Society and Young Audiences. The annual award honors Members of Congress who have made significant contributions to education and access to music and arts programs for all students, particularly those in low-income school districts. Past recipients include Senators Lamar Alexander; Bob Casey; Jay Rockefeller; Joe Manchin; and Tom Harkin; and Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, John Lewis and Jim Clyburn. The SupportMusic Coalition is sponsored by The NAMM Foundation and counts over 75,000 participants from the music and education sectors.
Photo credit: Kris Connor/Getty Images for NAMM
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