[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 119 (Tuesday, September 14, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S10854]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE CONCURENT RESOLUTION 56--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS 
    REGARDING THE IMPORTANCE OF ``FAMILY FRIENDLY''; PROGRAMMING ON 
                               TELEVISION

  Mr. VOINOVICH (for himself Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Bunning, Mr. DeWine, 
Mrs. Lincoln, and Mr. Gorton) submitted the following concurrent 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation:

                            S. Con. Res. 56

       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 each week viewing television;
       Whereas American homes have an average of 2.75 television 
     sets, and 87 percent of homes with children have more than 1 
     television set;
       Whereas there is a need to increase the availability of 
     programs suitable for the entire family during prime time 
     viewing hours;
       Whereas surveys of television content demonstrate that many 
     programs contain substantial sexual or violent content;
       Whereas although parents are ultimately responsible for 
     appropriately supervising their children's television 
     viewing, it is also important to provide positive, ``family 
     friendly'' programming that is suitable for parents and 
     children to watch together;
       Whereas efforts should be made by television networks, 
     studios, and the production community to produce more quality 
     family friendly programs and to air those programs during 
     times when parents and children are likely to be viewing 
     together;
       Whereas members of the Family Friendly Programming Forum 
     are concerned about the 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 
     express 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 Family 
     Friendly Programming Forum 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 proposed Family Friendly Programming 
     Awards, development fund, and scholarships, all of which are 
     designed to 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.

 Mr. VOINOVICH. Mr. President, I rise today along with my 
friend and colleague from Connecticut, Senator Lieberman, to submit a 
resolution recognizing the importance of expanding the amount of family 
friendly television programming, and to saluting the contributions that 
the Family Friendly Programming Forum is undertaking to make this goal 
a reality.
  As nearly any parent will attest, it can be a very difficult task to 
keep track of what their children watch after school. It is 
particularly hard for working parents. Each week the average child 
watches 22 to 28 hours of television, which is more time than is spent 
on nearly any other activity, except sleeping. The trick for parents is 
to establish good family viewing habits that emphasize quality 
programming and which are suited to the age of these young viewers. 
Many parents have indicated their desire to have more program choices 
for family friendly viewing during the evening hours when everyone is 
home together.
  To help in this endeavor, a number of our nation's leading companies 
have joined forces to establish the Family Friendly Programming Forum. 
The Forum's members, which includes some of the nation's largest 
television advertisers, are encouraging the production of more 
television programs geared toward the entire family. As sponsors of a 
wide range of programs, the Forum's members believe that there is a 
definite call for more family friendly movies, documentaries, series 
and other programs that are relevant and interesting to a broad family 
audience.
  The members of the Forum are working on a variety of initiatives in 
an effort to promote more family friendly programs. They are: engaging 
in constructive dialogue with industry leaders, presenting awards to 
family friendly television programs, establishing a development fund 
for family friendly scripts, awarding university scholarships in 
television studies that highlight family television themes, as well as 
embarking on a public awareness campaign.
  Mr. President, as a father and a grandfather, I am deeply concerned 
about the healthy development of all our nation's children. The future 
of our nation depends to a great degree on the safe and nurturing 
environment that will give children a positive outlook on life. 
Therefore, I encourage efforts that will increase the number and 
quality of family TV programs. I congratulate the Family Friendly 
Programming Forum on their leadership toward that goal.
  I believe that the passage of the resolution that Senator Lieberman 
and I are introducing honors the Forum's commitment and helps raise the 
awareness of others in the business community to align themselves with 
the goal of bringing quality television to our nation's families for 
the benefit of our children. I encourage my colleagues to join us in 
cosponsoring this resolution and I urge the Senate to provide it's 
quick approval.

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