[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 137 (Thursday, October 17, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S10778]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, 2002, AS ``CHILDREN'S INTERNET SAFETY 
                                MONTH''

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 338 following the discharge 
from the Judiciary Committee.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk 
will state the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 338) designating the month of 
     October, 2002, as ``Children's Internet Safety Month.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
and preamble be agreed to en bloc, the motion to reconsider be laid 
upon the table, and that any statements related thereto be printed in 
the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 338) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 338

       Whereas the Internet is one of the most effective tools 
     available for purposes of education and research and gives 
     children the means to make friends and freely communicate 
     with peers and family anywhere in the world;
       Whereas the new era of instant communication holds great 
     promise for achieving better understanding of the world and 
     providing the opportunity for creative inquiry;
       Whereas it is vital to the well-being of children that the 
     Internet offer an open and responsible environment to 
     explore;
       Whereas access to objectionable material, such as violent, 
     obscene, or sexually explicit adult material may be received 
     by a minor in unsolicited form;
       Whereas there is a growing concern in all levels of society 
     to protect children from objectionable material; and
       Whereas the Internet is a positive educational tool and 
     should be seen in such a manner rather than as a vehicle for 
     entities to make objectionable materials available to 
     children: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates October, 2002, as ``Children's Internet 
     Safety Month'' and supports its official status on the 
     Nation's promotional calendar; and
       (2) supports parents and guardians in promoting the 
     creative development of children by encouraging the use of 
     the Internet in a safe, positive manner.

                          ____________________