[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 111 (Thursday, August 2, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8699-S8700]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING REAL LIFE WITH MARY AMOROSO

 Mr. TORRICELLI. Madam President, I rise today to bring to your 
attention a noteworthy television program as we in Government continue 
to encourage broadcasters to produce more ``family entertainment'' 
programming. It is a program that reflects a commitment to family 
programming by a cable television network and an individual, Mary 
Amoroso.
  The program is called ``Real Life with Mary Amoroso,'' and appears on 
the Comcast Cable Network's CN8 Channel. It can be seen in about four 
million households from the Washington DC to New York City mid-Atlantic 
region.
  Completing its fifth season, the program is a multiple Emmy Award 
nominee. With criticism around the country about a lack of quality 
family programming, Real Life with Mary Amoroso has stood as proud 
proof that family entertainment can be accomplished.
  Real Life with Mary Amoroso has tackled issues ranging from grieving 
for the loss of a child to finding a job after you've been laid off to 
Internet dating. The show has focused on government's involvement in 
personal lives, in topics ranging from the human impacts of Federal 
approval of stem-cell research to the effect of divorce on today's 
families.
  In fact, comedian/philosopher, Steve Allen, father of the talk-show 
format, told the show's producers that he'd never had a better 
interview after he appeared on the program to talk about ``Dumbth''--
his book about the ``dumbing-down'' of American discourse.
  ``We talk about birth, death, dating, child development and parenting 
issues, addictions and abuse, public range and school yard shootings, 
mid-life crises, and aging,'' said show host Mary Amoroso. ``If our 
viewers are living it and worrying about it, we want to talk about it 
and offer them resources and connections.''
  I would like to recognize Ms. Amoroso, who is also a columnist on 
family issues for the Bergen Record newspaper in New Jersey, for her 
excellent work and dedication to these family-friendly formats. The 
Comcast cable television network and the Roberts family owners also 
deserve a great

[[Page S8700]]

deal of credit for its commitment to this initiative.

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