[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 14442-14443]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             PEER TO PEER: TEEN DATING VIOLENCE PREVENTION

  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, a serious and, at times, deadly form of 
physical and emotional interpersonal violence is alarmingly pervasive 
in our Nation today. It transcends race, socio-economic condition, and 
community size. It is dating violence and it happens every day in teen 
dating relationships. Like domestic violence to which it is a 
precursor, teen dating violence is something our society is finally 
talking about openly. A major driver of this public conversation is 
visual media, specifically, television.
  I am proud to say that a high school in Eagle, ID on the leading edge 
of this awareness effort. Organizers of a teen dating violence 
awareness and prevention summit in Boise reached out to the Eagle High 
School media department asking for its participation in the

[[Page 14443]]

summit. Taking up the challenge, media instructor Jim Seaney and his 
students produced a series of public service announcements, PSA, 
dealing with the crime of teen dating violence from the perspective of 
teens.
  I featured one of the five segments on my monthly live townhall 
meeting, Capitol Watch, and at a national press conference in February 
kicking off National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention 
Week. Well-scripted, professionally produced, and riveting in their 
directness and simplicity, each PSA confronts the viewer with the 
tragedy of teen dating violence. The message is clear: teen dating 
violence exists--and in relationships and places you would never 
suspect.
  Without any further acclaim, these productions stand as a tremendous 
accomplishment. But, I am pleased to say that they were recently 
selected as the winning entry to the 2005-2006 National Student 
Television Award for Excellence, Hubbard Family Public Affairs/
Community Service/Public Service Category. I offer my heartfelt 
congratulations to Jim Seaney and his students, Bethany Ross, Cody 
Bolken, Robert O'Neal, Tommy Sauriol, Sabra Wiitanen, John Adkins, 
Natalie Volarich, Chase Gronowski, Vianey Conchas, Abby Sauriol, 
Jeremiah Mitchell, and Jim's daughter Aubree who also acts in one of 
the segments. I thank them for the time and effort they took to make 
the crime of teen dating violence something that families, schools, 
communities and a nation, talk about. These conversations open the door 
to truth and healing now and healthy, respectful relationships for 
life.

                          ____________________