[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 31 (Thursday, February 16, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2901-S2902]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   VIOLENCE ON TELEVISION INITIATIVE

 Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, a recent report by the Journal of 
American Medicine estimates that the average American child has watched 
100,000 acts of violence by the end of elementary school--including 
8,000 murders. By 18, the average child has watched 200,000 acts of 
violence and 40,000 murders.
  Parents are rightly concerned. As a father of four and a grandfather 
of four, with four more on the way, I am concerned.
  Over the past year, Congress has begun to respond. We are asking 
whether it is appropriate to get involved on behalf of the interests of 
Children. Broadcasters are also beginning to pay attention. Last year, 
cable and broadcasting outlets agreed, with encouragement from 
Congress, to allow an independent monitor to review their programming 
for violence. While the monitoring project is underway, the debate 
continues over whether Congress should regulate violence on television.
  I believe that if the Federal Government plans to become involved in 
this issue--which may be appropriate--the Federal Government must first 
lead by example.
  That's why I have asked the three agencies, or federally related 
companies, that spend the most money per year on TV advertising, to 
join me in developing a uniform policy regarding 
[[Page S2902]] advertising on violent television programming.
  The three groups are the Department of Defense, which spent $37.3 
million last year on television advertising, the U.S. Postal Service, 
which spent $22.9 million on television advertising last year, and 
Amtrak, which spent $8.1 million.
  I was glad to learn that the Department of Defense, the Postal 
Service, and Amtrak all have existing policies in place to monitor 
their advertising. Our goal in asking these three entities to sign this 
pledge is to reaffirm their commitment by agreeing on a uniform policy 
defines violence and establishes a common goal for spending their 
advertising dollars.
  We define violence as ``an act perpetrated on another person or 
persons with the specific intent to cause physical harm, injury and/or 
death.''
  And we consider programs violent if they contain violence which is 
inappropriate or unnecessary to the story.
  Generally, our definition excludes documentary programs, including 
news and sporting programs.
  This is not censorship. This is a voluntary agreement among Federal, 
or federally related entities to act in the best interest of Americans.
  In voluntarily signing this pledge, the Department of Defense, the 
Postal Service, and Amtrak are sending an important message--that 
various elements of the Federal Government can work effectively 
together in the best interests of Americans. And they are saying we can 
accomplish worthwhile goals--such as limiting violence on television--
without new legislation and regulations.
  Our next goal is to encourage other agencies, and private companies 
to follow this example, and to take responsibility for the placement of 
their television advertisements.
  Four reputable groups with an interest in the TV violence issue 
support our initiative. They are: Americans for Responsible TV; the 
National Coalition on TV Violence; the National Education Association; 
and the National PTA.
  Finally, Mr. President, I would like to thank the representatives 
from the Department of Defense, the Postal Service, and Amtrak for 
attending this morning's announcement. Their cooperation and leadership 
in this initiative testifies to their concern about violence on 
television.


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