[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 124 (Thursday, September 28, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S10443]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 DECENCY BLOCKING EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN

  Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, the television, cable, and satellite 
industries recently launched the ``Be the Boss of What Your Kids 
Watch'' campaign. This campaign, which is headed up by my good friend 
Jack Valenti, educates parents about how to protect their children from 
inappropriate television programming.
  When Senator Inouye and I first became co-chairmen of the Senate 
Commerce Committee, several groups and individuals approached us; they 
were concerned about decency in media content. In November 2005, our 
Committee began the process of bringing each of these groups together. 
We convened an Open Forum on Decency and held hearings. In all, more 
than 30 groups and individuals shared their concerns and insights with 
us.
  The ``Be the Boss'' campaign is one noteworthy initiative which 
developed from these efforts. Surveys show that only three percent of 
Americans know how to use the V-chip, a feature in every television set 
which enables parents to block programs based on ratings. This $300 
million ad campaign seeks to teach parents how to use this--and other--
blocking technologies and will help them better monitor television 
programs.
  In July, Jack Valenti and Peggy Conlon, the president of the Ad 
Council, kicked off the ``Be the Boss'' campaign when they showed our 
committee their first two public service announcements. Thanks to these 
announcements, and the campaign web site, www.thetvboss.org. parents 
now have information about the V-chip, cable and satellite controls, 
and television ratings.
  Earlier this week, kits containing information about this campaign 
were delivered to every Member of Congress. I urge my colleagues to 
share these valuable resources with their constituents, and I thank 
Jack Valenti and his colleagues for their leadership on this issue.
  I yield the floor.

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