[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 16 (Wednesday, February 23, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              THE EFFECT OF A POSITIVE TELEVISION MESSAGE

 Mr. SIMON. Mr. President, today I rise to commend Charles S. 
Dutton and the Fox Television Network for a recent episode on the 
television program ``Roc'' which took a stand against kids and guns. In 
a January episode, entitled ``Terence Got His Gun,'' the show tackled 
the issue of gangs and children who own and use guns to protect 
themselves. At the end of the show, Mr. Dutton made a direct appeal to 
the television audience urging parents to better supervise their 
children.
  A phone call to a radio station in Phoenix, AZ, demonstrates the 
forcefulness of Mr. Dutton's message. Following the rebroadcast of the 
``Terence'' episode, a mother told the radio station that her son came 
to her and gave her his gun after seeing the television program. She 
did not even know that her son had carried a weapon.
  This story reminds us all of the powerful effect of television and 
the positive role it can play in our society. I congratulate Mr. Dutton 
and Fox for their efforts and encourage them to continue to use the 
television medium to address tough social issues.

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