[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 45 (Wednesday, April 16, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E681]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   ONE CITIZEN CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

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                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 16, 1997

  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to ask the House this question. 
Can an ordinary American citizen cause meaningful national legislation 
to be written and passed? Mr. Speaker, the answer is yes. Mr. Tony 
Snesko, a resident of San Diego County, has recently proved that this 
is possible, provided you possess the dedication and endurance 
necessary. Tony demonstrated a persistent effort which resulted in the 
passage of an amendment to section 505 of the Telecommunications Act 
regarding the scrambling of sexually explicit adult video programming.
  While the cable television industry has done some moderate scrambling 
of sexually explicit video transmissions in the past, these acts could 
still be seen. Additionally, the audio was clear and described the 
sexually explicit nature of the video. Unfortunately, this programming 
of slightly scrambled pornographic material was on a channel that was 
only one click removed from the programming that children normally 
watch. It was not uncommon that in their attempt to reach their 
favorite cartoons, children would often accidentally see the 
pornographic material that was broadcast 24 hours a day on the adjacent 
channel.
  Upon learning of this, Tony, the father of two children and a deacon 
in his local church, protested to the city council of his home town and 
the city attorney. He was told that there was nothing that could be 
done to eliminate this blight. The San Diego district attorney, the 
U.S. attorney, and the Federal Communications Commission had the same 
response to his concerns.
  Taking action himself, Tony taped the explicit material, requested 
that the American Family Association pay for 535 copies, which they 
did, and brought these tapes to Washington, DC. Already having in mind 
the type of legislation needed to end the airing of this pornography on 
television, my office aided Tony in having this language written and 
introduced.
  Over the next month, Tony visited the offices of all 435 U.S. 
Representatives, providing each Member's legislative staff with a copy 
of the video and the proposed bill. Tony even spoke with then chairman 
of the House Energy and Commerce Committee John Dingell. After 
witnessing Tony's dedication and persistence, Chairman Dingell agreed 
to include the bill language as an amendment to a piece of 
telecommunications legislation that the committee was currently 
considering.
  In 1994, legislation that required complete scrambling of 
pornographic material on television, both audio and visual, passed the 
U.S. House of Representatives. Tony then visited all 100 offices of the 
U.S. Senate, distributing his material and lobbying in favor of the 
legislation that had recently passed the House. As a result of this 
continued effort, Senator Diane Feinstein of California introduced a 
similar bill in the Senate where it successfully passed and was signed 
into public law by President Clinton in February 1996.
  Following this action, Playboy magazine immediately sought legal 
action against the U.S. Government in an effort to challenge this 
legislation. The Delaware district court dismissed this lawsuit and 
Playboy has until April 23, 1997, to file an appeal with the U.S. 
Supreme Court. Mr. Speaker, as demonstrated by Tony Snesko, one citizen 
can make a difference.

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