Ed Markey: “I begin by complimenting, praising the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman), who is the principal author of this…”

“I begin by complimenting, praising the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman), who is the principal author of this resolution. I thank him for asking me to be his coauthor. This is without question an important statement for the Congress to make. After all, we do spend a considerable amount of time here in Congress criticizing the impact which the media have upon the culture of our country, especially as it impacts the children in our society, so I think that as the Family Friendly Programming Forum begins a process of trying to encourage positive, family-friendly television, that we should praise them. This resolution does four things: First, it recognizes and it honors the efforts of the Family Friendly Programming Forum and other entities supporting family-friendly programming. Secondly, it supports efforts to encourage television networks, studios and production communities to produce more quality family-friendly programs. Third, it supports the proposed Family Friendly Programming Awards, development fund, and scholarships, all of which are designed to encourage, recognize and celebrate creative excellence in, and commitment to, family-friendly programming. And, fourth, it encourages the media and American advertisers to further a family-friendly television environment within which an appropriate advertisement campaign can accompany the appropriate programming.”