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1		HOUSE RESOLUTION
2		WHEREAS, Arts education, comprising a rich array of
3		disciplines including dance, music, theatre, media arts,
4		literature, design, and visual arts, is a core academic subject
5		and an essential element of a complete and balanced education
6		for all students; and
7		WHEREAS, According to Albert Einstein, "After a certain
8		high level of technical skill is achieved, science and art tend
9		to coalesce in esthetics, plasticity, and form. The greatest
10		scientists are artists as well."; and
11		WHEREAS, Arts education enables students to develop
12		critical thinking and problem solving skills, imagination and
13		creativity, discipline, alternative ways to communicate and
14		express feelings and ideas, and cross-cultural understanding,
15		which supports academic success across the curriculum and
16		personal growth outside the classroom; and
17		WHEREAS, The non-profit arts sector is an economic engine
18		and plays a significant role in the economic health of
19		communities large and small with direct expenditures of wages
20		and benefits and in goods and services; and
21		WHEREAS, To succeed in today's economy, students must

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1		masterfully use words, images, sounds, and movement to
2		communicate; and
3		WHEREAS, The arts provide the skills and knowledge students
4		need to develop the creativity and determination necessary for
5		success in the global information age; and
6		WHEREAS, Where schools and communities are delivering high
7		quality learning opportunities in, through, and about the arts
8		for children, extraordinary results occur; and
9		WHEREAS, Studies have found that 8th graders from
10		under-resourced environments who are highly involved in the
11		arts have better grades, less likelihood of dropping out by
12		grade 10, have more positive attitudes about school, and are
13		more likely to go to college; and
14		WHEREAS, Attracting and retaining the best teachers is
15		vital and can be achieved by ensuring that schools embrace the
16		arts, becoming havens for creativity and innovation; and
17		WHEREAS, Arts education has the power to make students want
18		to learn not just within the arts, but other areas of study;
19		therefore, be it
20		RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE

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1		NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
2		call upon the Governor to remember the importance of the arts
3		throughout the budgeting process; and be it further
4		RESOLVED, That we call upon elected officials and schools
5		throughout the State of Illinois to maintain art programs; and
6		be it further
7		RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
8		delivered to the Governor.