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 con-
tent;
•HCON 178 IH
Whereas parents are ultimately responsible for the appro-
priate supervision of their child’s television viewing, and
critical viewing and ‘‘co-viewing’’ of television program-
ming with the child are especially important;
Whereas ‘‘family friendly’’ programming means programs
which are relevant, interesting, and appropriate for audi-
ences 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, stu-
dios, 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 Pro-
gramming 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 pro-
gramming, including—
(1) participating in meetings with leadership of
major television networks, studios, and production com-
panies to share concerns;
•HCON 178 IH
(2) expressing the importance of family friendly pro-
gramming 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 fam-
ily friendly scripts; and
(5) underwriting scholarships at television studies
departments at institutions of higher education to en-
courage student interest in family friendly programming:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives
concurring), That Congress—
(1) recognizes and honors the efforts of the
Forum on Family Friendly Programming and other
entities supporting family friendly programming;
(2) supports efforts to encourage television net-
works, studios, and the production community to
produce more quality family friendly programs;
(3) supports the Family Friendly Programming
Awards, which will encourage, recognize, and cele-
brate creative excellence in, and commitment to,
family friendly programming; and
(4) encourages the media and American adver-
tisers to further a family friendly television environ-
ment within which appropriate advertisements can
accompany the programming.
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