[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 11 (Wednesday, February 9, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H257]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          AIRING OF SUICIDE PROGRAM RECKLESS AND IRRESPONSIBLE

  (Mr. RILEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. RILEY. Madam Speaker, last week the public-access cable 
television channel operated by the Community Television of Lane County, 
Oregon aired a program that is shocking to the conscience of a 
civilized society. The program in question is a new do-it-yourself 
video that is a step-by-step guide to committing suicide based on the 
book ``Final Exit'' by Derek Humphry.
  Mr. Humphry gives a video demonstration on what he claims is ``dying 
with dignity.'' I do not believe that suicide is synonymous with 
dignity.
  Madam Speaker, it is a sad day indeed when we make readily available 
on public television a step-by-step guide on where to find lethal 
drugs, with or without a doctor's prescription, to be mixed with 
chocolate pudding or applesauce to bring about death or how to use a 
bag or mask to commit suicide. The airing of this devaluation of life 
is nothing short of reckless and to me irresponsible.

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