Joe Lieberman: “I rise today to continue a dialog on an issue that many Americans, especially millions of parents, care deeply about…”

“I rise today to continue a dialog on an issue that many Americans, especially millions of parents, care deeply about: the profound and often harmful influence that television is having on our children and our country. As my colleagues know, the public's increasing anger about the pervasive presence of sex, violence, and vulgarity on the small screen has resulted in widespread criticism of the television industry. I believe that much of that criticism has been warranted. Just about a year ago this week I came to the floor to take the major networks to task for sponsoring what was widely reviled as the most lewd, crude, and rude prime-time lineup in television history, and for helping to drag our societal standards down yet another notch. So today, with the debut of the 1996 fall season upon us, I think it is only fair and right to focus on what I see as some truly positive developments on this front, and to give praise to the television industry where praise is due.”