For Immediate Release:
October 10, 2002
Contact:
Debra DiMaio (dkoke@giles.com)
Giles Communications
(914) 798-7134
Justin Timberlake Sends Congress
Petition in Support of Music Education
Thousands Signed Call to Action Spearheaded by Recording
Artist’s Foundation
WASHINGTON—On behalf of her son, recording artist Justin
Timberlake, and parents across America, Lynn Harless of
Tennessee visited Capitol Hill yesterday to deliver a petition
in support of music education.
Almost 15,000 people added their names to the online petition
beginning June 12, when Timberlake kicked off the effort
with a live nationwide television appearance. The petition
was a joint effort of The American Music Conference, a nationwide
non-profit organization devoted to promoting music making
and music education, and The Justin Timberlake Foundation,
founded by the singer to advance access to music learning.
Harless visited several key House and Senate offices to
deliver the petition results personally. "I’m
here for every American parent," she said. "No
child can reach his or her full potential without a sound
music education. I’m proud to support my son Justin
in all his endeavors, but I’ve never been prouder to
represent him than I am today."
Studies link musical activity to improvements in a child’s
reasoning and problem-solving abilities, academic performance
and social skills. The petition calls upon Members of Congress
to take measures at home and in Washington to help make
quality music education available to every American schoolchild.
The mission of The Justin Timberlake Foundation is to promote
music education as essential to a child’s development.
"The Foundation is excited to play a role in encouraging
people to become advocates on behalf of this important cause,"
says executive director Nina Biggar. For more information
on the Foundation, contact Biggar at (646) 437-3632.
The American Music Conference is dedicated to promoting
the importance of music, music making, and music education
to the general public. For more information about AMC and
this petition effort, visit www.amc-music.org.
