IV

106TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 178

Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the importance of ‘‘family

friendly’’ programming on television.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

AUGUST 5, 1999

Mr. PORTMAN (for himself and Mr. MARKEY) submitted the following

concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the importance

of ‘‘family friendly’’ programming on television.

Whereas American children and adolescents spend between

22 and 28 hours per week viewing television—more than

any other activity except sleeping;

Whereas American homes have an average of 2.75 television

sets, and 87 percent of homes with children having more

than one television set;

Whereas a very limited number of prime time programs are

suitable for the entire family;

Whereas surveys of television content demonstrate that many

programs contain substantial sexual and/or violent content;
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Whereas parents are ultimately responsible for the appropriate supervision of their child’s television viewing, and

critical viewing and ‘‘co-viewing’’ of television programming with the child are especially important;

Whereas ‘‘family friendly’’ programming means programs

which are relevant, interesting, and appropriate for audiences of all ages, including movies, series, documentaries,

and informational programs aired during hours when

children and adults might be together watching television

(between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.);

Whereas ‘‘family friendly’’ programming is of a type that the

average viewer or parent would not be embarrassed to

watch with children in the room and ideally presents an

uplifting message;

Whereas efforts must be made by television networks, studios, and the production community to produce more

quality family friendly programs and to air them during

times when parents and children are likely to be viewing

together;

Whereas members of the Forum on Family Friendly Programming market products and services to entire families

and are concerned about the dwindling availability of

family friendly television programs during prime time

viewing hours; and

Whereas Congress encourages activities by the Forum and

other entities designed to promote family friendly programming, including—

(1) participating in meetings with leadership of

major television networks, studios, and production companies to share concerns;
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(2) expressing the importance of family friendly programming at industry conferences, meetings, and forums;

(3) honoring outstanding family friendly television

programs with a new tribute, the Family Program

Awards, to be held annually in Los Angeles, California;

(4) establishing a development fund to finance family friendly scripts; and

(5) underwriting scholarships at television studies

departments at institutions of higher education to encourage student interest in family friendly programming:

Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives

2 concurring), That Congress—

3 (1) recognizes and honors the efforts of the

4 Forum on Family Friendly Programming and other

5 entities supporting family friendly programming;

6 (2) supports efforts to encourage television net7 works, studios, and the production community to

8 produce more quality family friendly programs;

9 (3) supports the Family Friendly Programming

10 Awards, which will encourage, recognize, and cele11 brate creative excellence in, and commitment to,

12 family friendly programming; and

13 (4) encourages the media and American adver14 tisers to further a family friendly television environ15 ment within which appropriate advertisements can

16 accompany the programming.

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