[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S.J. Res. 23 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







106th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. J. RES. 23

 Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the need for a Surgeon 
                General's report on media and violence.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 29, 1999

Mr. McCain (for himself, Mr. Lieberman, and Mr. Conrad) introduced the 
 following joint resolution; which was read twice and referred to the 
          Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the need for a Surgeon 
                General's report on media and violence.

Whereas the tragic killings at a high school in Colorado remind us that violence 
        in America continues to occur at unacceptable levels for a civilized 
        society;
Whereas the relationship of violent messages delivered through such popular 
        media as television, radio, film, recordings, video games, advertising, 
        the Internet, and other outlets of mass culture, to self-destructive or 
        violent behavior by children or young adults towards themselves, such as 
        suicide, or to violence directed at others, has been studied intensely 
        both by segments of the media industry itself and by academic 
        institutions;
Whereas the same media used to deliver messages which harm our children can also 
        be used to deliver messages which promote positive behavior;
Whereas much of this research has occurred in the 17 years since the last major 
        review and report of the literature was assembled by the National 
        Institute on Mental Health published in 1982;
Whereas the Surgeon General of the United States last issued a comprehensive 
        report on violence and the media in 1972; and
Whereas the number, pervasiveness, and sophistication of technological avenues 
        for delivering messages through the media to young people has expanded 
        rapidly since these 2 reports: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That--
            (1) the Surgeon General, in cooperation with the National 
        Institute of Mental Health, and such other sources of expertise 
        as the Surgeon General deems appropriate, shall undertake a 
        comprehensive review of published research, analysis, studies, 
        and other sources of reliable information concerning the impact 
        on the health and welfare of children and young adults of 
        violent messages delivered through such popular media as 
        television, radio, recordings, video games, advertising, the 
        Internet, and other outlets of mass culture;
            (2) the Surgeon General shall issue a report based on this 
        review which shall include, but not be limited to, findings and 
        recommendations concerning what can be done to mitigate any 
        harmful affects on children and young adults from these 
        messages, and the identification of gaps in the research that 
        should be filled; and
            (3) this review shall be completed in no more than 1 year, 
        and the report based on the review shall be issued in no more 
        than 6 months following completion of the review.
                                 <all>