[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 103 (Thursday, September 7, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S8216]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 349--TO DESIGNATE SEPTEMBER 7, 2000, AS ``NATIONAL 
                   SAFE TELEVISION FOR ALL-AGES DAY''

  Mr. HUTCHINSON submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 349

       Whereas modern communication has made television a central 
     reality in the lives of most Americans and one of the most 
     pervasive socializing instruments in American culture;
       Whereas family members and American citizens of all ages 
     view an average of 17 hours of television per week;
       Whereas there is a general consensus among researchers and 
     the American public that violence on television correlates to 
     violent and aggressive behavior in children and teenagers;
       Whereas violent and antisocial behavior in American culture 
     have increased as television depictions of violent actions 
     and destructive attitudes have become more elaborate and more 
     common place in television programming;
       Whereas television programming portraying responsible 
     conflict resolution and positive, meaningful role models have 
     a profound impact on the values that influence American 
     culture;
       Whereas family oriented programming reinforces positive 
     attitudes and sound cultural values in our homes, schools, 
     and communities; and
       Whereas the values and attributes portrayed in family 
     oriented programming promote positive social change and 
     movement away from the social apathy and moral deterioration 
     which are currently promoted by a wide variety of media 
     sources: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates September 7, 2000, as ``National Safe 
     Television for All-Ages Day''; and
       (2) urges all citizens to observe ``National Safe 
     Television for All-Ages Day'' by encouraging family and 
     community members to advocate for socially responsible 
     television and area broadcasting that offers such 
     programming.

  Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be 
recognized to speak for 5 minutes as if in Morning Business. Mr. 
President, I rise to introduce a resolution which designates September 
7th of each year as ``National Safe TV for All-Ages Day.'' On September 
7, 1927, Philo Farnsworth, a young 21-year-old inventor in San 
Francisco, transmitted the first all-electronic television picture. By 
the time he died in 1971, Philo Farnsworth's invention had become one 
of the greatest innovations of the 20th Century.
  Today, the modern television plays a central role in entertaining 
untold millions world-wide, and no where has it made more of an impact 
on society than in the United States. Television has become a fixture 
in almost every home. Americans view an average of 17 hours of 
television per week. This medium enjoys unprecedented access into the 
American home. Sadly, this access to the family has been abused as 
scenes of overtly violent and sexual acts on television have been on 
the rise for decades. As a result, there is a general consensus among 
researchers and the American public that violence on television 
correlates to violent and aggressive behavior in children and 
teenagers.
  Given the continued rise of this negative behavior in American 
society--especially among young people--parents, teachers, law 
enforcement officials, sociologists, and politicians are looking for 
ways to fight back. That is why I have publicly encouraged television 
executives and movie makers to take responsibility for the impact their 
programming and movies are having on viewers, regardless of age. While 
the entertainment industry continues to market violence, families must 
decide how to protect against a barrage of negative images.
  My resolution encourages families and viewers of all-ages to turn off 
the overtly violent and sexual programming and turn to safe, family 
oriented programming which reinforces positive attitudes and sound 
cultural values in our homes, schools, and communities. Television 
programming which portrays responsible conflict resolution and 
positive, meaningful role models has a profound impact on the values 
that influence American culture.
  It is my hope that parents take matters into their own hands by 
making September 7th the day families use the remote control to send a 
message to the television executives that violent programming is not 
wanted in our homes. It is my sincere hope that more Americans consider 
what kind of cumulative affect negative television programming has on 
families. I encourage my colleagues to cosponsor this measure and 
support safe TV for all ages. Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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