[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 49 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







106th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. CON. RES. 49

 Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the importance of ``family 
                 friendly'' programming on television.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             August 2, 1999

 Mr. Voinovich (for himself and Mr. Lieberman) submitted the following 
concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, 
                      Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the importance of ``family 
                 friendly'' programming on television.

Whereas American children and adolescents spend between 22 and 28 hours per week 
        viewing television--more than any other activity except sleeping;
Whereas American homes have an average of 2.75 television sets, and 87 percent 
        of homes with children having more than one television set;
Whereas a very limited number of prime time programs are suitable for the entire 
        family;
Whereas surveys of television content demonstrate that many programs contain 
        substantial sexual and/or violent content;
Whereas parents are ultimately responsible for the appropriate supervision of 
        their child's television viewing, and critical viewing and ``co-
        viewing'' of television programming with the child are especially 
        important;
Whereas ``family friendly'' programming means programs which are relevant, 
        interesting, and appropriate for audiences of all ages, including 
        movies, series, documentaries, and informational programs aired during 
        hours when children and adults might be together watching television 
        (between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.);
Whereas ``family friendly'' programming is of a type that the average viewer or 
        parent would not be embarrassed to watch with children in the room and 
        ideally presents an uplifting message;
Whereas efforts must be made by television networks, studios, and the production 
        community to produce more quality family friendly programs and to air 
        them during times when parents and children are likely to be viewing 
        together;
Whereas members of the Forum on Family Friendly Programming market products and 
        services to entire families and are concerned about the dwindling 
        availability of family friendly television programs during prime time 
        viewing hours; and
Whereas Congress encourages activities by the Forum and other entities designed 
        to promote family friendly programming, including--

    (1) participating in meetings with leadership of major television 
networks, studios, and production companies to share concerns;

    (2) expressing the importance of family friendly programming at 
industry conferences, meetings, and forums;

    (3) honoring outstanding family friendly television programs with a new 
tribute, the Family Program Awards, to be held annually in Los Angeles, 
California;

    (4) establishing a development fund to finance family friendly scripts; 
and

    (5) underwriting scholarships at television studies departments at 
institutions of higher education to encourage student interest in family 
friendly programming: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) recognizes and honors the efforts of the Forum on 
        Family Friendly Programming and other entities supporting 
        family friendly programming;
            (2) supports efforts to encourage television networks, 
        studios, and the production community to produce more quality 
        family friendly programs;
            (3) supports the Family Friendly Programming Awards, which 
        will encourage, recognize, and celebrate creative excellence 
        in, and commitment to, family friendly programming; and
            (4) encourages the media and American advertisers to 
        further a family friendly television environment within which 
        appropriate advertisements can accompany the programming.
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