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Collection/Record Group:
Clinton Presidential Records
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Speechwriting
Series/Staff Member:
Jeff Shesol
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19945
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FTC [Federal Trade Commission] / DOJ [Department of Justice] Study Kids & Violence 6/1/99 -
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91
6
8
3
Final 05/31/99 3:45pm
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN
6-1-99
Copied:
Jeff Shesol
J.Gottheimer
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
REMARKS ON CHILDREN,
VIOLENCE AND MARKETING
THE ROSE GARDEN
June 1, 1999
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN
6-1-99
Rap JACKSON Lee
Nortin
Acknowledgments: the First Lady; AG Reno; FTC
Chairman Robert Pitofsky; Arthur Sawe [SAH-way] and
1
Mayor Tim Karme
his mother Caroline; Mayor Deedee Corradini, US
(Ricneam)
Conference of Mayors; Wash. State Rep. Mary Lou
Dickerson; Pam Eakes, founder, Mothers Against
Violence in America
- WAYNE Curry, County Exec - PRINCE GEORGES County, Many hard
- DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER, COUNTY EREC - BALTIMORE Comry. Manyland
In recent weeks, and in the wake of tragedy, we have
witnessed something truly remarkable: Americans from
all regions and all walks of life coming together to
prevent youth violence. As you may recall, the First Lady
and I traveled to Colorado recently and spoke with the
students of Columbine High School.
1
In one sudden moment, just six weeks ago, they lost much
of the innocence of youth; but I am pleased to say that
they have lost little of its idealism. They have held fast to
their faith in a better future - a future where hatred no
longer hardens the heart; a future where values, and not
violence, make up our common culture.
The national grassroots campaign Hillary described
is rooted firmly in that faith. We know we can prevent
youth violence if we work together, across all the lines
that may divide us; and assume responsibility rather than
assign blame. That responsibility, of course, begins at
home. Parents must guide children as they grow, and stay
involved even as children become more independent.
2
That responsibility must be reinforced at school; in houses
of worship; and in the community as a whole. The more
invested we are in the lives of our children, the less
isolated they can become.
Those of us in public service must also do our part,
and fulfill our responsibility to keep guns out of the hands
of criminals and children. To that end, there is a broad
and growing national consensus that says we must do
more. I am grateful that a number of gun manufacturers
came here to the White House last month and voiced their
support for our common-sense approach.
3
And I am encouraged that the Senate agreed to close the
deadly gun-show loophole; require that safety locks be
sold with every handgun; ban the importation of large-
capacity ammunition clips; and ban violent juveniles from
owning guns as adults. To the House of Representatives I
say: Pass these common-sense measures into law, and do
so swiftly when you return from recess. Don't put our
children's safety on hold - put it at the top of your
agenda.
Members of the entertainment industry must also do
their part. They - and the rest of us - must not kid
ourselves: our children are being fed a dependable, daily
dose of violence.
4
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN
by the him Americanclina turn 18, we asus
6-1-99
Studies show that/the typical/ 18 year old has seen
200,000 dramatized acts of violence and 40,000
attracted Fico
consequeum
dramatized murders. Kids becomenumb to itsl They have
to. And as their exposure to violence grows, so does, in
some deeply troubling cases, their taste for it. We should
not be surprised that half the video games the typical
seventh-grader plays are violent ones.
Anyone who doubts the impact of this cultural assault
can look at hundreds of studies, three decades' worth,
showing the direct link between violent entertainment and
violent behavior. What these studies tell us is that for
which for mart adult
adults, the boundary between fantasy and reality is a is a vegas his
bright line; but for vulnerable children, it can be blurred.
5
THE PRESIDENT 6-1-99 HAS SEEN
Kids who are steeped in the culture of violence can
become desensitized to it and more capable of committing
it themselves.
That is why I have strongly urged people in the
industry to consider the consequences of what they create.
One can value our First Amendment right to free
caufat
expression and, at the same time, act with restraint. Our
administration has worked to give parents the tools to
protect their kids - and block violent programming from
entering their living rooms. We have worked with the
industry to develop a voluntary rating system for
television, and a V-Chip that enables parents to enforce it.
6
We' ve also made progress on parental screening for the
Internet and ratings for Internet game sites.
Still, when violent entertainment made for adults is
marketed to children, it undermines the rating systems
designed to protect them. Advertisements have the power
to egg children on and lure them in. Every parent knows
what response a commercial for sugar cereal - or the
latest "Star Wars" toy - will get from their kids. They
want that product and, one way or another, they're
determined to get it. So we should think twice about the
impact of ads for so-called "first-person shooter" video
games - like the recent ad for a game that invites players
to "get in touch with your gun-toting.
cold-blooded
murdering side."
7
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN
6-1-99
Now, Arthur obviously has the inner strength and the
upbringing to reject that kind of violent appeal. But not
every child will.
Today, I am asking the Department of Justice and the
Federal Trade Commission to study the extent to which
the video game, music and movie industries market
violence to children - and whether those industries are
abiding by their own voluntary systems of regulation. To
any company that sells violent products, I say this:
Children are more than consumers. They are our future,
and our most precious resource. They should not be
targets in the marketing of violence. Don't make young
people want what your own rating systems say they
shouldn't have.
coug. CBS to cauciling a program
thigh to Lee tro valume
am concences
about regrouts 8 the on programing on some retworks
may in mora viscent
I also issue this challenge to the owners of movie
theaters and video stores, to distributors, and to anyone at
the point of sale: enforce the ratings systems on the
products you sell. Check IDs. Draw the line. If underage
kids are buying violent video games or getting into R-
rated movies, then ratings systems should be strictly
enforced to put a stop to it. And if gratuitous violence is
getting into PG-13-rated movies, then ratings systems
should be reevaluated.
I want to thank Senators Brownback, Lieberman,
Hatch, and Kohl for the work they've done on this issue.
9
And I want to commend Washington State Representative
Mary Lou Dickerson, who is here with us today. Inspired
by an article she read about young Arthur, Rep. Dickerson
helped create a task force on video game violence. And,
thanks to her work with Mothers Against Violence in
America and the Washington Retailers Association, both
of which are represented here today, video game retailers
in Washington State will now voluntarily sign a pledge to
parents, committing themselves to check IDs and block
sales of violent games to minors.
10
I urge others to follow their lead. For this, in the end,
is the way we will make progress: by constant and
coordinated effort - as individuals and industries, as
communities and as a nation. Youth violence is a
problem we face together - and it is a problem America
can solve together. By joining hands in this effort we can
truly build a safer future for all our children in the 21st
Century. Thank you.
11
SUNTUM_M@A1
06/01/99 01:08:00 PM
Record Type:
Record
To:
See the distribution list at the bottom of this message
CC:
Subject: 1999-06/01 RBTP and MRS. CLINTON/CHIL,VIO,MKTG
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
June 1, 1999
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AND MRS. CLINTON
ON CHILDREN, VIOLENCE AND MARKETING
The Rose Garden
11:46 A.M. EDT
MRS. CLINTON: Good morning, and please be seated, and thank you for
joining us today in the Rose Garden as we continue a national conversation
about how to address the problems of youth violence in our communities and
schools.
I want to thank everyone for coming this morning, and I'd like to
acknowledge Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Mayor Deedee Corradini, Mayor
Timothy Kaine, and County Executives Wayne Curry and Charles Ruppersburger.
In addition to the Chairman of the FTC, whom you will hear from in a minute,
Robert Pitofsky, we also have Commissioner Sheila Anthony and Commissioner
Mozelle Thompson. I'm also pleased that Pamela Eakes, who led the very
innovative group, Mothers Against Violence in America, has worked with us on
this event as she has on past events that are also part of our efforts to try
to create ways in which every American can take his or her part in doing
whatever we can against youth violence.
As a nation, we've reacted to the shootings at Columbine High School
like almost no other event I can remember in recent memory. It has literally
pierced the heart of America. Yet, in my conversations with young people and
parents over the past few weeks, I've heard less talk about people feeling
helpless or hopeless and more about a growing consensus that finger-pointing
doesn't lead to solutions and that we have to move forward together to take
steps to end the violence, not only in our schools, but in our broader
community. And that it is time -- some might say past time -- that we all
play a role in making a positive difference in the lives of our children.
I want to thank the Attorney General and the Chair of the FTC for
joining us today, as well as the many parents, educators, religious leaders,
members of the media and students who are here as well. I'm pleased that we
will be hearing from a 4th grader this morning who will tell us how he became
part of the solution in his home state of Washington.
I think all of us recognize that there is no single answer or solution
to the problem of violence in our society, but that we must move on many
fronts -- from passing common-sense gun control efforts to helping parents
understand better how to exercise authority over the media that their children
are exposed to, and enabling more parents to spend more time with their own
children.
We've come together to talk about some of the ways we can
begin to reverse the culture of violence that is engulfing
American children every day, particularly the role that the media
plays in shaping the lives and values of our children and young
people.
In 1972, a Surgeon General report said, and I quote: "We
know that children imitate and learn from everything they see --
parents, fellow children, school, the media. It would be
extraordinary, indeed, if they did not imitate and learn from
what they see on television."
The report went on to say that violence on television causes
children either to mimic directly the actions they see or to act
generally in a more aggressive way. Yet, today, more than 25
years after this report was written, our culture is even more
saturated with TV programs, movies and songs that romanticize and
glorify violence. What kind of values are we promoting when a
child can walk into a store and find video games where you win
based on how many people you can kill or how many places you can
blow up.
We can no longer ignore the well-documented connection
between violence in the media and the effects that it has on
children's behavior. One study has found, for example, that if
an actor is rewarded for violent behavior, children are more
likely to imitate it. Another tells us that media violence has a
particularly negative effect on children who already have a
tendency toward aggressive or antisocial behavior.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, viewers
of violence not only become desensitized and fearful, they begin
to identify with an aggressive solution to their own personal
problems. America's culture of violence is having a profound
effect on our children, and we have to resolve to do all we can
to change that culture.
One of the ways we can do that is to give parents the tools
they need to control what their own children are exposed to. And
we've already moved forward in that direction. Today's
announcement is another important step in the fight against
violence. We know there is a lot of work to be done. But I'm
encouraged that so many leaders and citizens are coming together
and talking honestly not only about the challenges we face, but
what we have to do, together, to meet those challenges.
I'm particularly heartened that as a result of the meeting
the President convened at the White House a few weeks ago, there
was general agreement from a broad cross-section of Americans
that we would launch a national grass roots campaign to prevent
youth violence. We would model the campaign on successful
national efforts like Mothers Against Drunk Driving, which showed
us that we can change the culture when enough people from all
walks of life say enough is enough. So I look forward to seeing
everyone working together on this new nationwide effort to
prevent youth violence.
Now, I'd like to introduce someone who cares deeply about
the future of our children and who has fought tirelessly to
create safe schools and communities. Our Attorney General, Janet
Reno. (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: Give him another hand. He was great.
Bravo. (Applause.), Thank you.
When I was listening to Arthur speak, I didn't know whether
to offer him a job as a White House speechwriter -- (laughter) --
or just wait for the opportunity to vote for him someday. Let me
say -- (applause) -- thank you very much. Thank you.
And we thank your mother for bringing you here, and
congratulations. (Applause.) And Representative Mary Lou
Dickerson, thank you; and Pam Eakes, founder of Mothers Against
Violence in America, thank you.
I thank the Attorney General, and Chairman Pitofsky, for
their remarks and their commitment. I thank Mayor Corradini,
Mayor Kaine, County Executive Curry and County Executive Dutch
Ruppersburger for the interest that our local government leaders
have. I thank Representative Sheila Jackson Lee for her
passionate commitment to this issue. And, all of you, welcome to
the White House.
And most of all, I want to say again how much I appreciate
Arthur Sawe for coming here, and for sharing a child's
perspective. We have other children in this audience today, and
we are really here about them, and their future.
As Hillary said, the tragedy at Littleton had a profound
effect on America. It certainly had a profound effect on us, and
on our family -- particularly after we had the chance to go to
Colorado and visit with the families of the children who were
killed, and many of the young children who are still grievously
wounded -- and the kids at the school with them, who are hurting
still, and the teachers.
I do think that what Hillary said is right: we sense a
determination, not only in that community but throughout our
country, not just to grieve about this, but to do something about
it. The national grassroots campaign against violence against
children is rooted in our faith that we can do better.
We know we can prevent more youth violence if we work
together, across all the lines that divide us. We know we can do
it if we're all willing to assume responsibility, and stop trying
to assign blame. Of course, the responsibility begins at home.
It must be reinforced and supported at schools and houses of
worship in the community as a whole. Those of us in public
service must also do our part. There is broad and growing
consensus for us to do more.
Let me say I am also very grateful that the gun
manufacturers came here last month and voiced their support for
common-sense restrictions to make it more difficult for guns to
get into the hands of children and criminals. I'm encouraged
that the Senate acted to close the deadly gun show loophole, to
require safety locks to be sold with every handgun, to ban the
importation of large-capacity ammunition clips, and ban violent
juveniles from owning guns as adults. I hope the House of
Representatives will pass these common-sense measures as soon as
they return from the Memorial Day recess. (Applause.) We have a
lot to do this year, but this should be put at the top of the
agenda, and not put on hold.
As you have already heard, members of the entertainment
industry must also do their part. They, and the rest of us,
cannot kid ourselves. Our children are being fed a dependable
daily dose of violence -- and it sells. Now, 30 years of studies
have shown that this desensitizes our children to violence, and
to the consequences of it.
We now know that by the time the typical American child
reaches the age of 18, he or she has seen 200,000 dramatized acts
of violence, and 40,000 dramatized murders. Kids become
attracted to it, and more numb to its consequences. As their
exposure to violence grows, so, in some deeply troubling cases of
particularly vulnerable children, does the taste for it. We
should not be surprised that half the video games a typical
seventh-grader plays are violent.
Anyone who doubts the impact of the cultural assault can
look at what now, over 30 years, amounts to somewhere over 300
studies, all of whom show that there is a link between sustained
exposure, hour after hour, day after day, week after week, year
after year, to violent entertainment and violent behavior.
What the studies say, quite simply, is that the boundary
between fantasy and reality violence, which is a clear line for
most adults, can become very blurred for vulnerable children.
Kids steeped in the culture of violence do become desensitized to
it and more capable of committing it themselves.
That is why I have strongly urged people in the
entertainment industry to consider the consequences of what they
create and how they advertise it. One can value the First
Amendment right to free speech and at the same time care for and
act with restraint. Our administration has worked to give
parents more tools to protect their kids, to block violent
programming from entering their living room with the V-chip and
the rating system. We've made progress on parental screening for
Internet and ratings for Internet game sites.
Still, when violent entertainment made for adults is
marketed to children, it undermines the rating system designed to
protect them. And if you look at some of these ads, it's hard to
argue with a straight face that the games were made for adults in
the first place. Like the one Arthur mentioned.
Advertisements have a particular role here. They have the
power to egg children on and lure them in. Every parent knows
what response a commercial for sugar cereal or the latest Star
Wars toy will get from their children. People advertise because
it works. They want that product and, one way or the other,
they're determined to get it. So we ought to think. twice about
the impact of ads for so-called "first person shooter video
games," like the recent ad for a game that invites players to --
and I quote -- "get in touch with your gun-toting, cold-blooded
murdering side."
I was given -- today, Arthur brought me the magazine with
the ad that he mentioned, and he was kind enough to mark it for
me. There really is a gun here. It says: More fun than
shooting your neighbor's cat. I was given another ad that says:
What kind of psycho drives a school bus into a war zone? And
here's a school bus, heavily armed. This came out right after
the incident in Springfield, Oregon.
Here's an ad that turns the argument I just made on its
head: Psychiatrists say it's important to feel something when
you kill. And then it goes on to say, you ought to get this
technology because it bumps and you feel it. It says: Every
sensation, every vibration, every mutilation, nine programmable
weapons buttons. Customizable feedback software. Push the stick
that pushes back and feel your pain. And here's one that's the
most unbelievable of all. It says: Kill your friends
guilt-free.
Now, obviously, Arthur has the inner strength and the good
upbringing to reject that kind of violent appeal. Most of our
children do. But not all of our children do. We cannot be
surprised when this kind of thing has an impact on our most
vulnerable children. Is it 100 percent to blame? No. It's
easier to get guns in this society. Parents on average spend 22
hours a week less with their children than they did 30 years ago
because of the demands of work and commuting, the busyness of
daily life.
But when you put it all together, there are bound to be
explosive negative consequences. That's why today I am asking
the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to
study the extent to which the video game, music and movie markets
do actually market violence to children, and whether those
industries are abiding by their own voluntary systems of
regulations.
To any company that sells violent products, I say, children
are more than consumers. I understand nobody made anybody buy
any of this stuff. But every day, a responsible society declines
to do some things for short-term gain that it can do. And that
is what we have to think about. These children are our future,
our most precious resource. Raising them is any society's most
important job.
Don't make young people want what your own rating systems
say they shouldn't have. I might say again, as has already been
acknowledged, they shouldn't have. I might say again, as has
already been acknowledged, many, many people in the entertainment
industry have worked with us on this -- on the ratings system, on
the V-chip, on the screening technology for the Internet.
I noticed one network executive, a few days ago, actually
cancelled a program because its violent content was
inappropriate, and I applaud that. But I also read with concern
the news that some of the new programming coming up for this fall
on some networks will be even more violent than last year's. The
time has come to show some restraint, even if it has a short-term
impact on the bottom line.
I also want to challenge the owners of movie theaters and
video stores, distributors -- anyone at any point of sale --
enforce the rating systems on the products that you sell. Check
the IDs, draw the line. If underage children are buying violent
video games or getting into R-rated movies, the rating system
should be enforced to put a stop to it. (Applause.)
And if, as many of us suspect, there is still too much
gratuitous violence in PG-13-rated movies, the rating systems
themselves should be re-evaluated.
I want to thank Senators Brownback, Lieberman, Hatch and
Kohl, for the bipartisan work they have done on this issue.
Again, I want to commend State Representative Mary Lou Dickerson
from Washington, who read about young Arthur, helped to create a
task force on video game violence, and thanks to her work with
Pam and the Mothers Against Violence in America and the
Washington Retailers' Association -- who are all represented here
today -- video game retailers in Washington state now voluntarily
sign a pledge to parents, committing themselves to check IDs and
block sales of violent games to minors. That's something that
ought to happen in every state in the United States of America.
(Applause.)
Again I say, we can do something about this. It will take a
grass roots campaign. It will take everybody doing his or her
part. This is a problem we face together, a problem America can
solve together. There is no more urgent task for our future.
You were all looking at this young man speaking today,
thinking, what a wonderful thing that a person that young could
speak so clearly, so confidently, about things that are so right.
You look around at the other young people here today who are
involved in this effort in some way or another, and you thank God
that we have this legacy of children.
A lot of those kids that haven't made it through all these
school violence incidents were just as good, just as fine, had
just as much to give the world. We've got to quit fooling around
with this. We've got a chance. Our hearts are open, our ears
are open, are heads are thinking.
I know this stuff sells. But that doesn't make it right.
Thank you, and God bless you. (Applause.)
12:16 P.M. EDT
Message Sent To:
Final 05/31/99 3:45pm
Jeff Shesol
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
REMARKS ON CHILDREN,
VIOLENCE AND MARKETING
THE ROSE GARDEN
June 1, 1999
Acknowledgments: the First Lady; AG Reno; FTC
Chairman Robert Pitofsky; Arthur Sawe [SAH-way] and
his mother Caroline; Mayor Deedee Corradini, US
Conference of Mayors; Wash. State Rep. Mary Lou
Dickerson; Pam Eakes, founder, Mothers Against
Violence in America
In recent weeks, and in the wake of tragedy, we have
witnessed something truly remarkable: Americans from
all regions and all walks of life coming together to
prevent youth violence. As you may recall, the First Lady
and I traveled to Colorado recently and spoke with the
students of Columbine High School.
1
In one sudden moment, just six weeks ago, they lost much
of the innocence of youth; but I am pleased to say that
they have lost little of its idealism. They have held fast to
their faith in a better future - a future where hatred no
longer hardens the heart; a future where values, and not
violence, make up our common culture.
The national grassroots campaign Hillary described
is rooted firmly in that faith. We know we can prevent
youth violence if we work together, across all the lines
that may divide us; and assume responsibility rather than
assign blame. That responsibility, of course, begins at
home. Parents must guide children as they grow, and stay
involved even as children become more independent.
2
That responsibility must be reinforced at school; in houses
of worship; and in the community as a whole. The more
invested we are in the lives of our children, the less
isolated they can become.
Those of us in public service must also do our part,
and fulfill our responsibility to keep guns out of the hands
of criminals and children. To that end, there is a broad
and growing national consensus that says we must do
more. I am grateful that a number of gun manufacturers
came here to the White House last month and voiced their
support for our common-sense approach.
3
And I am encouraged that the Senate agreed to close the
deadly gun-show loophole; require that safety locks be
sold with every handgun; ban the importation of large-
capacity ammunition clips; and ban violent juveniles from
owning guns as adults. To the House of Representatives I
say: Pass these common-sense measures into law, and do
so swiftly when you return from recess. Don't put our
children's safety on hold - put it at the top of your
agenda.
Members of the entertainment industry must also do
their part. They - and the rest of us - must not kid
ourselves: our children are being fed a dependable, daily
dose of violence.
4
Studies show that the typical 18-year-old has seen
200,000 dramatized acts of violence and 40,000
dramatized murders. Kids become numb to it. They have
to. And as their exposure to violence grows, so does, in
some deeply troubling cases, their taste for it. We should
not be surprised that half the video games the typical
seventh-grader plays are violent ones.
Anyone who doubts the impact of this cultural assault
can look at hundreds of studies, three decades' worth,
showing the direct link between violent entertainment and
violent behavior. What these studies tell us is that for
adults, the boundary between fantasy and reality is a
bright line; but for vulnerable children, it can be blurred.
5
Kids who are steeped in the culture of violence can
become desensitized to it and more capable of committing
it themselves.
That is why I have strongly urged people in the
industry to consider the consequences of what they create.
One can value our First Amendment right to free
expression and, at the same time, act with restraint. Our
administration has worked to give parents the tools to
protect their kids - and block violent programming from
entering their living rooms. We have worked with the
industry to develop a voluntary rating system for
television, and a V-Chip that enables parents to enforce it.
6
We've also made progress on parental screening for the
Internet and ratings for Internet game sites.
Still, when violent entertainment made for adults is
marketed to children, it undermines the rating systems
designed to protect them. Advertisements have the power
to egg children on and lure them in. Every parent knows
what response a commercial for sugar cereal - or the
latest "Star Wars" toy - will get from their kids. They
want that product and, one way or another, they're
determined to get it. So we should think twice about the
impact of ads for so-called "first-person shooter" video
games - like the recent ad for a game that invites players
to "get in touch with your gun-toting. cold-blooded
murdering side."
7
Now, Arthur obviously has the inner strength and the
upbringing to reject that kind of violent appeal. But not
every child will.
Today, I am asking the Department of Justice and the
Federal Trade Commission to study the extent to which
the video game, music and movie industries market
violence to children - and whether those industries are
abiding by their own voluntary systems of regulation. To
any company that sells violent products, I say this:
Children are more than consumers. They are our future,
and our most precious resource. They should not be
targets in the marketing of violence. Don't make young
people want what your own rating systems say they
shouldn't have.
8
I also issue this challenge to the owners of movie
theaters and video stores, to distributors, and to anyone at
the point of sale: enforce the ratings systems on the
products you sell. Check IDs. Draw the line. If underage
kids are buying violent video games or getting into R-
rated movies, then ratings systems should be strictly
enforced to put a stop to it. And if gratuitous violence is
getting into PG-13-rated movies, then ratings systems
should be reevaluated.
I want to thank Senators Brownback, Lieberman,
Hatch, and Kohl for the work they've done on this issue.
9
And I want to commend Washington State Representative
Mary Lou Dickerson, who is here with us today. Inspired
by an article she read about young Arthur, Rep. Dickerson
helped create a task force on video game violence. And,
thanks to her work with Mothers Against Violence in
America and the Washington Retailers Association, both
of which are represented here today, video game retailers
in Washington State will now voluntarily sign a pledge to
parents, committing themselves to check IDs and block
sales of violent games to minors.
10
I urge others to follow their lead. For this, in the end,
is the way we will make progress: by constant and
coordinated effort - as individuals and industries, as
communities and as a nation. Youth violence is a
problem we face together - and it is a problem America
can solve together. By joining hands in this effort we can
truly build a safer future for all our children in the 21st
Century. Thank you.
11
Final 05/31/99 3:45pm
Jeff Shesol
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
REMARKS ON CHILDREN, VIOLENCE AND MARKETING
THE ROSE GARDEN
June 1, 1999
Acknowledgments: the First Lady; AG Reno; FTC Chairman Robert Pitofsky; Arthur
Sawe [SAH-way] and his mother Caroline; Mayor Deedee Corradini, US Conference of Mayors;
Wash. State Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson; Pam Eakes, founder, Mothers Against Violence in
America
In recent weeks, and in the wake of tragedy, we have witnessed something truly
remarkable: Americans from all regions and all walks of life coming together to prevent youth
violence. As you may recall, the First Lady and I traveled to Colorado recently and spoke with
the students of Columbine High School. In one sudden moment, just six weeks ago, they lost
much of the innocence of youth; but I am pleased to say that they have lost little of its idealism.
They have held fast to their faith in a better future - a future where hatred no longer hardens the
heart; a future where values, and not violence, make up our common culture.
The national grassroots campaign Hillary described is rooted firmly in that faith. We
know we can prevent youth violence if we work together, across all the lines that may divide us;
and assume responsibility rather than assign blame. That responsibility, of course, begins at
home. Parents must guide children as they grow, and stay involved even as children become
more independent. That responsibility must be reinforced at school; in houses of worship; and in
the community as a whole. The more invested we are in the lives of our children, the less
isolated they can become.
Those of us in public service must also do our part, and fulfill our responsibility to keep
guns out of the hands of criminals and children. To that end, there is a broad and growing
national consensus that says we must do more. I am grateful that a number of gun manufacturers
came here to the White House last month and voiced their support for our common-sense
approach. And I am encouraged that the Senate agreed to close the deadly gun-show loophole;
require that safety locks be sold with every handgun; ban the importation of large-capacity
ammunition clips; and ban violent juveniles from owning guns as adults. To the House of
Representatives I say: Pass these common-sense measures into law, and do so swiftly when you
return from recess. Don't put our children's safety on hold - put it at the top of your agenda.
Members of the entertainment industry must also do their part. They - and the rest of us
- must not kid ourselves: our children are being fed a dependable, daily dose of violence.
Studies show that the typical 18-year-old has seen 200,000 dramatized acts of violence and
40,000 dramatized murders. Kids become numb to it. They have to. And as their exposure to
violence grows, so does, in some deeply troubling cases, their taste for it. We should not be
surprised that half the video games the typical seventh-grader plays are violent ones.
1
Anyone who doubts the impact of this cultural assault can look at hundreds of studies,
three decades' worth, showing the direct link between violent entertainment and violent
behavior. What these studies tell us is that for adults, the boundary between fantasy and reality is
a bright line; but for vulnerable children, it can be blurred. Kids who are steeped in the culture of
violence can become desensitized to it and more capable of committing it themselves.
That is why I have strongly urged people in the industry to consider the consequences of
what they create. One can value our First Amendment right to free expression and, at the same
time, act with restraint. Our administration has worked to give parents the tools to protect their
kids - and block violent programming from entering their living rooms. We have worked with
the industry to develop a voluntary rating system for television, and a V-Chip that enables
parents to enforce it. We've also made progress on parental screening for the Internet and ratings
for Internet game sites.
Still, when violent entertainment made for adults is marketed to children, it undermines
the rating systems designed to protect them. Advertisements have the power to egg children on
and lure them in. Every parent knows what response a commercial for sugar cereal - or the latest
"Star Wars" toy - will get from their kids. They want that product and, one way or another,
they're determined to get it. So we should think twice about the impact of ads for so-called
"first-person shooter" video games - like the recent ad for a game that invites players to "get in
touch with your gun-toting
cold-blooded murdering side." Now, Arthur obviously has the
inner strength and the upbringing to reject that kind of violent appeal. But not every child will.
Today, I am asking the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to study
the extent to which the video game, music and movie industries market violence to children -
and whether those industries are abiding by their own voluntary systems of regulation. To any
company that sells violent products, I say this: Children are more than consumers. They are our
future, and our most precious resource. They should not be targets in the marketing of violence.
Don't make young people want what your own rating systems say they shouldn't have.
I also issue this challenge to the owners of movie theaters and video stores, to
distributors, and to anyone at the point of sale: enforce the ratings systems on the products you
sell. Check IDs. Draw the line. If underage kids are buying violent video games or getting into
R-rated movies, then ratings systems should be strictly enforced to put a stop to it. And if
gratuitous violence is getting into PG-13-rated movies, then ratings systems should be
reevaluated.
I want to thank Senators Brownback, Lieberman, Hatch, and Kohl for the work they've
done on this issue. And I want to commend Washington State Representative Mary Lou
Dickerson, who is here with us today. Inspired by an article she read about young Arthur, Rep.
Dickerson helped create a task force on video game violence. And, thanks to her work with
Mothers Against Violence in America and the Washington Retailers Association, both of which
are represented here today, video game retailers in Washington State will now voluntarily sign a
2
pledge to parents, committing themselves to check IDs and block sales of violent games to
minors.
I urge others to follow their lead. For this, in the end, is the way we will make progress:
by constant and coordinated effort - as individuals and industries, as communities and as a
nation. Youth violence is a problem we face together - and it is a problem America can solve
together. By joining hands in this effort we can truly build a safer future for all our children in
the 21st Century. Thank you.
3
Draft 05/28/99 3:00pm
Jeff Shesol
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
REMARKS ON CHILDREN, VIOLENCE AND MARKETING
THE ROSE GARDEN
June 1, 1999
Acknowledgments: the First Lady; AG Reno; FTC Chairman Robert Pitofsky; Arthur
Sawe [sah-WAY] and his mother Caroline; Mayor DeeDee Corradini, US Conference of Mayors
In recent weeks, and in the wake of tragedy, we have witnessed something truly
remarkable: Americans from all regions and all walks of life are coming together to prevent
youth violence. As you may recall, the First Lady and I traveled to Colorado recently and spoke
with the students of Columbine High School. In one sudden, violent moment, just six weeks
ago, they lost much of the innocence of youth; but I am pleased to say that they have lost little of
its idealism. They have held fast to their faith in a better future - a future where hatred no longer
hardens the heart; a future where values, and not violence, make up our common culture.
The national grassroots campaign that Hillary described is rooted firmly in that same
faith: that we can and will prevent youth violence by working together, across all the lines that
may divide us; and by assuming responsibility rather than assigning blame. That responsibility
begins at home. Parents must guide children as they grow, and stay involved even as children
become more independent. That responsibility must be reinforced at school; in houses of
worship; and in the community as a whole. The more invested we are in the lives of our
children, the less isolated they can become.
Those of us in public service must also do our part, and fulfill our responsibility to keep
guns out of the hands of criminals and children. To that end, there is a broad and growing
national consensus that says we must do more. I am grateful that a number of gun manufacturers
came here to the White House last month and voiced their support for our common-sense
approach. And I am encouraged that the Senate - by the narrowest of margins - agreed to close
the deadly gun-show loophole; require that safety locks be sold with every handgun; and raise
the age of handgun possession from 18 to 21. To the House of Representatives I say: Pass these
common-sense measures into law, and do so swiftly when you return to Washington. Put our
children's safety on top of your agenda - not on hold.
Members of the entertainment industry must also do their part. They - and the rest of us
- must not kid ourselves: our children are being weaned on a dependable daily dose of violence.
Violent movies and television programs; violent CDs and video games; violent ads for violent
products. Studies show that the typical 18-year-old has seen 200,000 dramatized acts of violence
and 40,000 dramatized murders. Kids become numb to it. They have to. And as their tolerance
for violence grows, so, in many cases, does their taste for it. As Arthur Sawe [sah-WAY] just
told us, advertisements egg children on and draw them in: a recent ad for a Sony video game
invites players to "get in touch with your gun-toting.
cold-blooded murdering side." So we
1
should not be surprised that half the video games the typical seventh-grader plays are violent
ones.
Anyone who doubts the impact of this cultural assault can look at hundreds of studies,
three decades' worth, showing the direct link between violent entertainment and violent
behavior. What these studies tell us is that for adults, the boundary between fantasy and reality is
a bright line; but for vulnerable children, it can be blurred. Kids who are steeped in the culture of
violence become desensitized to it and more capable of committing it themselves.
That is why I have strongly urged people in the industry to consider the consequences of
what they create. Our administration has also worked to give parents the tools to protect their
kids - and block violent programming from entering their living rooms. We have developed a
voluntary rating system for television, and a V-Chip that enables parents to enforce it. We've
also made progress on parental screening for the Internet and ratings for Internet game sites.
But these filters are designed to keep out violent programs and games, not the ads for
violent programs or games. We know that all too often, children make up the audience for
violent advertisements - whether TV commercials, print ads, or movie trailers. A recent study in
the Journal of the American Medical Association looked at violent ads shown during a
nonviolent, family-friendly broadcast - the baseball playoffs. During each and every game of the
World Series, an average of ten violent commercials appeared. Ten per game. Most of the ads
were for violent TV programs or violent movies. Kids may not get to see the show, but in the
commercial, they're seeing the commercial.
Now, no parent wants to tell a child to stop watching baseball because the commercials
are too violent. But all parents know the effect that ads for sugar cereals - or the newest "Star
Wars" toy - have on our kids. So we had best be concerned about the effect that violent ads have
on our kids. These advertisements are troubling. They're pure, packaged violence, and totally
stripped of context or consequence.
If violent products are made, they should not be marketed to children. I think all
Americans can agree on that. Today, I am asking the Department of Justice and the Federal
Trade Commission to study the extent to which the video game, television, music and movie
industries market violence to children - and whether those industries are abiding by their own
voluntary systems of regulation. I want to acknowledge Senators Brownback, Lieberman, Hatch,
and Kohl for the work they've done to raise this issue. And I also want to issue this challenge to
owners of movie theaters and video stores, to distributors, and to anyone at the point of sale:
enforce strictly the ratings systems on the entertainment you sell. Check IDs. Draw the line. If
gratuitous violence is getting into PG-13-rated movies, ratings systems should be reevaluated.
And if underage kids are getting into R-rated movies or buying violent video games, ratings
systems should be better enforced.
There is no high-tech quick fix to these problems. It will take effort, vigilant and
concerted effort, by all of us to make a difference and do right by our children. But we must do
it. We must step up to our responsibility as individuals and industries, as communities and as a
2
nation. Youth violence is a problem we face together - and it is a problem America can solve
together. By joining hands in this effort we can build a safer future for all our children in the 21st
Century. Thank you.
)
3
Final 05/31/99 3:45pm
Jeff Shesol
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
REMARKS ON CHILDREN, VIOLENCE AND MARKETING
THE ROSE GARDEN
June 1, 1999
Acknowledgments: the First Lady; AG Reno; FTC Chairman Robert Pitofsky; Arthur
Sawe [SAH-way] and his mother Caroline; Mayor Deedee Corradini, US Conference of Mayors;
Wash. State Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson; Pam Eakes, founder, Mothers Against Violence in
America
In recent weeks, and in the wake of tragedy, we have witnessed something truly
remarkable: Americans from all regions and all walks of life coming together to prevent youth
violence. As you may recall, the First Lady and I traveled to Colorado recently and spoke with
the students of Columbine High School. In one sudden moment, just six weeks ago, they lost
much of the innocence of youth; but I am pleased to say that they have lost little of its idealism.
They have held fast to their faith in a better future - a future where hatred no longer hardens the
heart; a future where values, and not violence, make up our common culture.
The national grassroots campaign Hillary described is rooted firmly in that faith. We
know we can prevent youth violence if we work together, across all the lines that may divide us;
and assume responsibility rather than assign blame. That responsibility, of course, begins at
home. Parents must guide children as they grow, and stay involved even as children become
more independent. That responsibility must be reinforced at school; in houses of worship; and in
the community as a whole. The more invested we are in the lives of our children, the less
isolated they can become.
Those of us in public service must also do our part, and fulfill our responsibility to keep
guns out of the hands of criminals and children. To that end, there is a broad and growing
national consensus that says we must do more. I am grateful that a number of gun manufacturers
came here to the White House last month and voiced their support for our common-sense
approach. And I am encouraged that the Senate agreed to close the deadly gun-show loophole;
require that safety locks be sold with every handgun; ban the importation of large-capacity
ammunition clips; and ban violent juveniles from owning guns as adults. To the House of
Representatives I say: Pass these common-sense measures into law, and do so swiftly when you
return from recess. Don't put our children's safety on hold - put it at the top of your agenda.
Members of the entertainment industry must also do their part. They - and the rest of us
- must not kid ourselves: our children are being fed a dependable, daily dose of violence.
Studies show that the typical 18-year-old has seen 200,000 dramatized acts of violence and
40,000 dramatized murders. Kids become numb to it. They have to. And as their exposure to
violence grows, so does, in some deeply troubling cases, their taste for it. We should not be
surprised that half the video games the typical seventh-grader plays are violent ones.
1
Anyone who doubts the impact of this cultural assault can look at hundreds of studies,
three decades' worth, showing the direct link between violent entertainment and violent
behavior. What these studies tell us is that for adults, the boundary between fantasy and reality is
a bright line; but for vulnerable children, it can be blurred. Kids who are steeped in the culture of
violence can become desensitized to it and more capable of committing it themselves.
That is why I have strongly urged people in the industry to consider the consequences of
what they create. One can value our First Amendment right to free expression and, at the same
time, act with restraint. Our administration has worked to give parents the tools to protect their
kids - and block violent programming from entering their living rooms. We have worked with
the industry to develop a voluntary rating system for television, and a V-Chip that enables
parents to enforce it. We've also made progress on parental screening for the Internet and ratings
for Internet game sites.
Still, when violent entertainment made for adults is marketed to children, it undermines
the rating systems designed to protect them. Advertisements have the power to egg children on
and lure them in. Every parent knows what response a commercial for sugar cereal - or the latest
"Star Wars" toy - will get from their kids. They want that product and, one way or another,
they're determined to get it. So we should think twice about the impact of ads for so-called
"first-person shooter" video games - like the recent ad for a game that invites players to "get in
touch with your gun-toting. cold-blooded murdering side." Now, Arthur obviously has the
inner strength and the upbringing to reject that kind of violent appeal. But not every child will.
Today, I am asking the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to study
the extent to which the video game, music and movie industries market violence to children -
and whether those industries are abiding by their own voluntary systems of regulation. To any
company that sells violent products, I say. this: Children are more than consumers. They are our
future, and our most precious resource. They should not be targets in the marketing of violence.
Don't make young people want what your own rating systems say they shouldn't have.
I also issue this challenge to the owners of movie theaters and video stores, to
distributors, and to anyone at the point of sale: enforce the ratings systems on the products you
sell. Check IDs. Draw the line. If underage kids are buying violent video games or getting into
R-rated movies, then ratings systems should be strictly enforced to put a stop to it. And if
gratuitous violence is getting into PG-13-rated movies, then ratings systems should be
reevaluated.
I want to thank Senators Brownback, Lieberman, Hatch, and Kohl for the work they've
done on this issue. And I want to commend Washington State Representative Mary Lou
Dickerson, who is here with us today. Inspired by an article she read about young Arthur, Rep.
Dickerson helped create a task force on video game violence. And, thanks to her work with
Mothers Against Violence in America and the Washington Retailers Association, both of which
are represented here today, video game retailers in Washington State will now voluntarily sign a
2
pledge to parents, committing themselves to check IDs and block sales of violent games to
minors.
-I urge others to follow their lead. For this, in the end, is the way we will make progress:
by constant and coordinated effort - as individuals and industries, as communities and as a
nation. Youth violence is a problem we face together - and it is a problem America can solve
together. By joining hands in this effort we can truly build a safer future for all our children in
the 21st Century. Thank you.
3
Jeff-
This is very
Draft 05/27/99 8:00pm
good, but A
Jeff Shesol
do have a
far suggestions
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
REMARKS ON CHILDREN, VIOLENCE AND MARKETING see me when
THE ROSE GARDEN
June 1, 1999
you mound have a
Today I want to talk to you about the new steps we are taking to prevent youth violence.
As you may recall, the First Lady and I traveled to Colorado recently and spoke with the
students of Columbine High School. In one sudden, violent moment, just six weeks ago, they
lost much of the innocence of youth; but I am pleased to say that they have lost little of its
idealism. They have held fast to their faith in a better future - a future where hatred no longer
hardens young hearts; a future where values, and not violence, make up our common culture.
a little
The national grassroots campaign that Hillary described is rooted firmly in that same
know that me
much to-o
faith that we can and will prevent youth violence by working together, across all the lines that
may divide us; and by assuming responsibility rather than assigning blame. That responsibility
&
begins at home. Parents must guide children as they grow, and stay involved even as children
the
only
become more independent. That responsibility must be reinforced at school; in houses of
worship; and in the community as a whole. The more invested we are in the lives of our
children, the less isolated they can become.
Those of us in public service must also do our part, and fulfill our responsibility to keep
guns out of the hands of criminals and children. To that end, there is a broad and growing
national consensus that says we must do more. I am grateful that a number of gun manufacturers
came here to the White House last month and voiced their support for our common-sense
approach. And I am encouraged that the Senate - by the narrowest of margins - agreed to close
the deadly gun-show loophole; require that safety locks be sold with every handgun; and raise
the age of handgun possession from 18 to 21. To the House of Representatives I say: Pass these
common-sense measures into law, and do SO swiftly when you return to Washington. Put our
children's safety on top of your agenda - not on hold.
any was to add a gun metaphon
here this fulls a bit Hat
Members of the entertainment industry must also step up to their responsibility. AsI
have said, "those with greater influence have greater responsibility." Anyone who questions the
influence of this industry can look at hundreds of studies, three decades' worth, showing a direct
link between violent entertainment and violent behavior by children. For adults, the boundary
between fantasy and reality is a bright line; for vulnerable children, it can be blurry. Those who
are steeped in the culture of violence become desensitized to it and more capable of committing
it themselves.
For this reason, I appreciate that members of the entertainment industry have worked with
us to develop a voluntary rating system for television, and a V-Chip that enables parents to
enforce it. Together we've also made progress on parental screening for the Internet and ratings
Exation
1
good
love
for game sites. But no filter can hold back a flood. When half the video games the typical
seventh-grader plays are violent ones, there is no such thing as a high-tech quick fix. When the
typical 18-year-old has seen 200,000 dramatized acts of violence and 40,000 dramatized
murders, there can be no new-fangled replacement for old-fashioned restraint.
your sounds caller restramt the The for
I have challenged people in the industry to consider the consequences of what they create,
or
"I" think Sund gen
and to make movies, music,-games and programs as if their own children were watching. And I
have said: If violent products are made, at the very least they should not be marketed to children.
bonk
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kids
Still, we know that all too often, children make up the audience for violent ads. A recent
study in the Journal of the American Medical Association looked at violent ads shown during a
indust not
nonviolent, family-friendly broadcast - the baseball playoffs. During each and every game of the
World Series, an average of ten violent commercials appeared. Ten per game. /Most of the ads
were for violent TV shows or violent movies. Now, no parent wants to tell a child to stop
watching baseball because the commercials are too violent. But these advertisements - whether
TV ads, print ads, or movie trailers - are troubling. They're pure, packaged violence, totally
stripped of context or consequence. And the meaning of some of these ads is all too direct:
Good
recently, a Sony video game invited players to "get in touch with your gun-toting.
cold-
blooded murdering side."
Now, children, as any parent will tell you, are not passive observers. Kids don't just
watch, they pay attention. And if we're concerned about the impact that ads for the latest sugar
cereal or "Star Wars" toy have on our kids, we had best be concerned about the impact that
violent ads have on our kids.
weak trans.
I think all Americans can agree: it is wrong to market violence to children, Today, I am
asking the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to study the extent to which
head
the video game, television, music and movie industries market violence to children - and
whether those industries are abiding by their own voluntary systems of regulation. I also
Keasel
issuing a challenge to owners of movie theaters and video stores, to distributors, and to anyone at
the point of sale: enforce strictly the ratings systems on the entertainment you purvey. Check
and
IDs. Draw the line. If ratings systems are allowing gratuitous violence into PG-13-rated movies,
they should be reevaluated. And if they aren't keeping children from seeing R-rated movies or
buying violent video games, they_must-be-better-enforced
high
Typs
We must all work harder. To do right by our children, we must step up to our
responsibility as individuals and industries, as communities and as a nation. Youth violence is a
problem we face together - and it is a problem America can solve together. By joining hands in
this effort we can build a safer future for all our children in the 21st Century. Thank you
"
pretty
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generic
2
alpeohol?
Bruce
Reed edits
Draft 05/28/99 5:45pm
Jeff Shesol
socarides)
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
REMARKS ON CHILDREN, VIOLENCE AND MARKETING
THE ROSE GARDEN
June 1, 1999
Acknowledgments: the First Lady; AG Reno; FTC Chairman Robert Pitofsky; Arthur
Sawe sah WAY] and his mother Caroline; Mayor DeeDee Corradini, US Conference of Mayors; (2)
Wash. State Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson (?? pam Eakes, MAV
In recent weeks, and in the wake of tragedy, we have witnessed something truly
remarkable: Americans from all regions and all walks of life coming together to prevent youth
violence. As you may recall, the First Lady and I traveled to Colorado recently and spoke with
the students of Columbine High School. In one sudden moment, just six weeks ago, they lost
much of the innocence of youth; but I am pleased to say that they have lost little of its idealism.
They have held fast to their faith in a better future - a future where hatred no longer hardens the
heart; a future where values, and not violence, make up our common culture.
The national grassroots campaign Hillary described is rooted firmly in that faith. We
know we can prevent youth violence if we work together, across all the lines that may divide us;
and assume responsibility rather than assign blame. That responsibility, of course, begins at
home. Parents must guide children as they grow, and stay involved even as children become
more independent. That responsibility must be reinforced at school; in houses of worship; and in
the community as a whole. The more invested we are in the lives of our children, the less
isolated they can become.
Those of us in public service must also do our part, and fulfill our responsibility to keep
guns out of the hands of criminals and children. To that end, there is a broad and growing
national consensus that says we must do more. I am grateful that a number of gun manufacturers
came here to the White House last month and voiced their support for our common-sense
approach. And I am encouraged that the Senate - by the though narrowest of margins - agreed to close
even
the deadly gun-show loophole; require that safety locks be sold with every handgun; and raise
leanne's lith
the age of handgun possession from 18 to 21. To the House of Representatives I say: Pass these
common-sense measures into law, , and do so swiftly when you return to Washington Don't put
here
our children's safety on hold - put it on top of your agenda.
from recess.
(legislative]
Members of the entertainment industry must also do their part. They - and the rest of us
- must not kid ourselves: our children are being wesned feda a dependable, daily dose of violence
Violent movies and television programs; violent CDs and video games; violent ads for violent
products Studies show that the typical 18-year-old has seen 200,000 dramatized acts of violence
and 40,000 dramatized murders. Kids become numb to it. They have to. And as their tolerance exposure to
for violence grows, so, in cases, does their taste for it. We should not be surprised that half
the video games the typical seventh-grader plays are violent ones.
1
somer
theme beat deeply troubling
Anyone who doubts the impact of this cultural assault can look at hundreds of studies,
three decades' worth, showing the direct link between violent entertainment and violent
behavior. What these studies tell us is that for adults, the boundary between fantasy and reality is
a bright line; but for vulnerable children, it can be blurred. Kids who are steeped in the culture of
violence become desensitized to it and more capable of committing it themselves.
can
That is why I have strongly urged people in the industry to consider the consequences of
what they create. Our administration has worked to give parents the tools to protect their
the
worled ind to
kids - and block violent programming from entering their living rooms. We have developed a
voluntary rating system for television, and a V-Chip that enables parents to enforce it. We've
also made progress on parental screening for the Internet and ratings for Internet game sites.
Still, when violent entertainment made for adults is marketed to children, it undermines
If thethat something the rating systems designed to protect them. Advertisements have the power to egg children on
response
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and lure them in. Every parent knows what a commercial for sugar cereal - or the latest determined "Star
will get from their
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way
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Wars" toy - can do to kids. They want that product and, one way or another, they're likely to get
N
defense it. An ad for an R rated movie may have the same effect on a child. so And we sheet shudder to think of
Think about twice the impact of ads for so-called "first-person shooter" video games - like the recent ad for a Sony
video game that invites players to "get in touch with your gun-toting.
cold-blooded murdering
Neera
stat.
side." Now, Arthur obviously has the inner strength and the upbringing to reject that kind of
ent. int.
violent appeal. But not every child does.> will.
overall on
marketing
To any company that sells violent products, I say this: Children are more than
consumers. They are our future, and our most precious resource. They should not be the targets in
the marketing of violence:
line That yers
Don't make young people want what your own ratings saypely
Today, I am asking the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to study
shout
have.
the extent to which the video game, music and movie industries market violence to children -
examine
more
and whether those industries are abiding by their own voluntary systems of regulation. And I
mkt strategy
on FTC-
issue this challenge to the owners of movie theaters and video stores, to distributors, and to
ads in
DOJ
anyone at the point of sale: enforce strictly the ratings systems on the products you sell. Check
places
where
IDs. Draw the line. If gratuitous violence is getting into PG-13-rated movies, then ratings
most
viewers
systems should be reevaluated. And if underage kids are getting into R-rated movies or buying
arends are was
violent video games, then ratings systems should be better strictly enforced to put a stop to it.
Neera:
moreto
I want to thank Senators Brownback, Lieberman, Hatch, and Kohl for the groundbreaking
sury
work they've done on this issue. And I want to commend Washington State Representative
Mary Lou Dickerson, who is here with us today. Inspired by an article she read about young
Arthur, Rep. Dickerson helped create a task force on video game violence. And, thanks to her
work with the Washington Retailers Association, video game retailers in their state will now
voluntarily check IDs and block sales of violent games to minors.
sign pledge to parents Tremselves to
I urge others to follow their lead. For this is the way we will make progress: by constant
and coordinated effort - as individuals and industries, as communities and as a nation. Youth
RS:
2
we dont intend this as a chill on 14
Amend.
while d appreciate 1SA Amend its to tell
expression, cornerstone of const., we
violence is a problem we face together - and it is a problem America can solve together. By
joining hands in this effort we can truly build a safer future for all our children in the 21st
Century. Thank you.
3
werdits
Jeffrey A. Shesol
05/28/99 05:50:34 PM
Record Type:
Record
To:
See the distribution list at the bottom of this message
CC:
Michael Waldman/WHO/EOP@EOP, Joshua S. Gottheimer/WHO/EOP@EOP
Subject: revised draft on kids & violence 5/28 5:45pm -- pls ignore prev draft -- comments to Jeff Shesol 6-2796
Draft 05/28/99 5:45pm
Jeff Shesol
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
REMARKS ON CHILDREN, VIOLENCE AND MARKETING
THE ROSE GARDEN
June 1, 1999
Acknowledgments: the First Lady; AG Reno; FTC Chairman Robert Pitofsky; Arthur
Sawe [sah-WAY] and his mother Caroline; Mayor DeeDee Corradini, US Conference of Mayors;
Wash. State Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson
In recent weeks, and in the wake of tragedy, we have witnessed something truly
remarkable: Americans from all regions and all walks of life coming together to prevent youth
violence. As you may recall, the First Lady and I traveled to Colorado recently and spoke with
the students of Columbine High School. In one sudden moment, just six weeks ago, they lost
much of the innocence of youth; but I am pleased to say that they have lost little of its idealism.
They have held fast to their faith in a better future - a future where hatred no longer hardens the
heart; a future where values, and not violence, make up our common culture.
The national grassroots campaign Hillary described is rooted firmly in that faith. We
know we can prevent youth violence if we work together, across all the lines that may divide us;
and assume responsibility rather than assign blame. That responsibility, of course, begins at
home. Parents must guide children as they grow, and stay involved even as children become
more independent. That responsibility must be reinforced at school; in houses of worship; and in
the community as a whole. The more invested we are in the lives of our children, the less
isolated they can become.
Those of us in public service must also do our part, and fulfill our responsibility to keep
guns out of the hands of criminals and children. To that end, there is a broad and growing
national consensus that says we must do more. I am grateful that a number of gun manufacturers
came here to the White House last month and voiced their support for our common-sense
approach. And I am encouraged that the Senate - by the narrowest of margins - agreed to close
the deadly gun-show loophole; require that safety locks be sold with every handgun; and raise
the age of handgun possession from 18 to 21. To the House of Representatives I say: Pass these
common-sense measures into law, and do so swiftly when you return to Washington. Don't put
our children's safety on hold - put it on top of your agenda.
Members of the entertainment industry must also do their part. They - and the rest of us
- must not kid ourselves: our children are being weaned on a dependable, daily dose of violence.
Violent movies and television programs; violent CDs and video games; violent ads for violent
products. Studies show that the typical 18-year-old has seen 200,000 dramatized acts of violence
and 40,000 dramatized murders. Kids become numb to it. They have to. And as their tolerance
for violence grows, so, in many cases, does their taste for it. We should not be surprised that half
the video games the typical seventh-grader play's are violent ones.
Anyone who doubts the impact of this cultural assault can look at hundreds of studies,
three decades' worth, showing the direct link between violent entertainment and violent
behavior. What these studies tell us is that for adults, the boundary between fantasy and reality is
a bright line; but for vulnerable children, it can be blurred. Kids who are steeped in the culture of
violence become desensitized to it and more capable of committing it themselves.
That is why I have strongly urged people in the industry to consider the consequences of
what they create. Our administration has also worked to give parents the tools to protect their
kids - and block violent programming from entering their living rooms. We have developed a
voluntary rating system for television, and a V-Chip that enables parents to enforce it. We've
also made progress on parental screening for the Internet and ratings for Internet game sites.
Still, when violent entertainment made for adults is marketed to children, it undermines
the rating systems designed to protect them. Advertisements have the power to egg children on
and lure them in. Every parent knows what a commercial for sugar cereal - or the latest "Star
Wars" toy - can do to kids. They want that product and, one way or another, they're likely to get
it. An ad for an R-rated movie may have the same effect on a child. And we shudder to think of
the impact of ads for so-called "first-person shooter" video games - like the recent ad for a Sony
video game that invites players to "get in touch with your gun-toting
cold-blooded murdering
side." Now, Arthur obviously has the inner strength and the upbringing to reject that kind of
violent appeal. But not every child does.
X62796
To any company that sells violent products, I say this: Children are more than
consumers. They are our future, and our most precious resource. They should not be the targets
of the marketing of violence.
your adtw
Today, I am asking the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to study
the extent to which the video game, music and movie industries market violence to children -
and whether those industries are abiding by their own voluntary systems of regulation And I
It's
not
issue this challenge to the owners of movie theaters and video stores, to distributors, and to
on
anyone at the point of sale: enforce strictly the ratings systems on the products you sell. Check dong
IDs. Draw the line. If gratuitous violence is getting into PG 13 rated movies, then ratings
that.
systems should be reevaluated. And if underage kids are getting into R-rated movies or buying
nexiseno
violent video games, then ratings systems should be better enforced.
take line
whither
you're den't put first
Among other matters, the study should examine whether such violent material rated for adults is
advertised or promoted in media outlets in which minors comprise a substantial percentage of the
audience.
The study also should examine whether these advertisements are intended to and in fact attract
underage audiences.
I want to thank Sénators Brownback, Lieberman, Hatch, and Kohl for the groundbreaking
work they' ve done on this issue. And I want to commend Washington State Representative
Mary Lou Dickerson, who is here with us today Inspired by an article she read about young
Arthur, Rep. Dickerson helped create a task force on video game violence. And, thanks to her
work with the Washington Retailers Association, video game retailers in their state will now
nit.
voluntarily check IDs and block sales of violent games to minors.
this
info
I urge others to follow their lead. For this is the way we will make progress: by constant
and coordinated effort - as individuals and industries, as communities and as a nation. Youth
violence is a problem we face together - and it is a problem America can solve together. By
1000
joining hands in this effort we can truly build a safer future for all our children in the 21st
then
Century. Thank you.
the
Message Sent To:
Bruce N. Reed/OPD/EOP@EOP
Elena Kagan/OPD/EOP@EOP
Cathy R. Mays/OPD/EOP@EOP
maughter many study challeng
Laura Emmett/WHO/EOP@EOP
John Podesta/WHO/EOP@EOP
Dawn L. Smalls/WHO/EOP@EOP
Karen Tramontano/WHO/EOP@EOP
Steve Ricchetti/WHO/EOP@EOP
Maria Echaveste/WHO/EOP@EOP
this
Leslie Bernstein/WHO/EOP@EOP
Douglas B. Sosnik/WHO/EOP@EOP
2019
Dominique L. Cano/WHO/EOP@EOP
Neera Tanden/WHO/EOP@EOP
Christine N. Macy/WHO/EOP@EOP
Ruby Shamir/OPD/EOP@EOP
Noa A. Meyer/WHO/EOP@EOP
Richard Socarides/WHO/EOP@EOP
Janet Murguia/WHO/EOP@EOP
Ann F. Lewis/WHO/EOP@EOP
Loretta M. Ucelli/WHO/EOP@EOP
Ann C. Hertelendy/WHO/EOP@EOP
Jose Cerda III/OPD/EOP@EOP
Leanne A. Shimabukuro/OPD/EOP@EOP
William H. White Jr./WHO/EOP@EOP
Lynn G. Cutler/WHO/EOP@EOP
Setti D. Warren/WHO/EOP@EOP
PRESIDENT CLINTON ANNOUNCES NEW STUDY TO EXAMINE
THE MARKETING OF VIOLENT MEDIA TO CHILDREN
June 1, 1999
As part of his continuing efforts to reduce youth violence, the President will announce
today that the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice will conduct a
joint study of the marketing practices of entertainment industries to determine whether
these industries are marketing to children violent and other material that is rated for
adults. In a Rose Garden event, joined by the First Lady, the President also challenged
retailers to enforce age restrictions on adult-oriented media, so that inappropriate
material is kept out of the hands of children.
Helping Parents to Make the Right Choices for Their Children. Numerous studies
have shown that violent programming increases children's aggression toward others
and desensitizes them to violence. If and to the extent that the movie, recording, and
video game industries market to children violent and other materials that are rated for
adults, they undermine current content-based ratings systems, make it harder for
parents to control the movies, music and games their children see, and increase the
likelihood of children being exposed to inappropriate materials. President Clinton
therefore will announce today that the Federal Trade Commission and Department of
Justice will conduct a study to determine whether and how the motion picture,
recording, and video game industries market to children violent and other material rated
for adults. The study will examine, among other matters, whether sectors of these
industries advertise violent material rated for adults in media outlets in which children
comprise a substantial percentage of the audience or whether they otherwise use
marketing practices designed to attract children to violent material. The study also will
examine whether these industries have adopted procedures restricting the sale of products rated
for adults to children and the extent to which these procedures are effective in ensuring that
children do not have access to adult-oriented material.
Challenging Entertainment Industry Distributors to Enforce Ratings. A key to
shielding children from exposure to excessively violent media is to halt their access to
these products at the point of sale. Too many children can purchase or rent violent
video games and films intended for adults from retailers who do not check
identifications. In fact, according to a study conducted last year by the National Institute
on the Media and the Family, only nine percent of retail stores that rent video games
refused to rent to minors games that are rated as suitable only for adults. As part of an
effort to address this issue, the Washington State Retail Association and the Interactive
Digital Software Association are working together to create a point-of-sale system that
will notify and remind clerks to ask for identification from buyers. Because the
President believes that it is wrong to sell or rent the most violent video games and
movies to children without their parents' approval, he will challenge the nation's retailers
today to follow the lead of those in Washington State and enforce the ratings systems
when they sell or rent any adult-rated material to children.
Advancing an Agenda to Address Youth Violence. In an effort to comprehensively
address the causes of youth violence comprehensively, the President is launching a
national campaign on the issue, to involve community and religious leaders, the gun
and entertainment industries, educators, parents, and young people. This campaign
will be modeled on the highly successful Welfare to Work Partnership and the National
Campaign to Reduce Teen Pregnancy. The campaign will call on all sectors of society
to take responsibility for reducing youth violence and will disseminate efforts that are
working throughout the nation.
Program
FL
Joshua S. Gottheimer
DO)
05/26/99 10:47:27 AM
Parent or child
Record Type:
Record
To:
Jeffrey A. Shesol/WHO/EOP@EOP
CC:
Subject: FTC report
Forwarded by Joshua S. Gottheimer/WHO/EOP on 05/26/99 10:47 AM
6:30
no noTV ? TV
talk w/
Ruby Shamir
DOJ
05/26/99 10:34:03 AM
otherwise issue a challenge.
scare 'em
Record Type:
Record
straight.
11:30
To:
Karin Kullman/OPD/EOP@EOP, Joshua S. Gottheimer/WHO/EOP@EOP
CC:
Neera Tanden/WHO/EOP@EOP
Subject: FTC report
Attached is the Amendment that this study is based on. Below also find a description of the aims of the FTC
report. You guys should know that the main focus of his remarks on the report should be on the study of
marketing practices:
On Tuesday the President will announce that the Federal Trade Commission and the Department
of Justice are jointly conducting a study on the marketing practices of the motion picture,
recording, and video/personal game industries with regard to material rated for adults. The report
will study:
?
(1)
Whether violent, sexually explicit or other unsuitable material is specifically- advertised in
media outlets in which minors comprise a substantial percentage of the audience;
(2)
The extent to which merchants of the material have policies that restrict sales of this
material to children and enforce those restrictions;
(3)
Whether these groups require, monitor and enforce their voluntary warning labels or
engage in public information campaigns about their labeling systems;
The study may investigate more issues, but this is a preliminary description.
Brownbach-
libberman
145 Cong Rec S 5171, *S5173
Subtitle B - Other Matters
Sec. 511. Study of Marketing Practices of Motion Picture; Recording; and Video/Personal
Computer Game Industries
(a)
Study. -
(1) In general. - The Federal Trade Commission and Attorney General shall jointly conduct
study of marketing practices of the motion picture, recording, and video/personal game
industries.
(2) Issues examined.- In conducting the study under paragraph (1), the Commission and the
Attorney General shall examine -
(A)- the extent to which the motion picture, recording, and video/personal computer industries
1
target the marketing of violent, sexually explicit, or other unsuitable material to minors,
including whether such content is advertised or promoted in media outlets in which minors
comprise a substantial percentage of the audience;
2)
(B) the extent to which retail merchants, movie theaters, or others who engage in the sale or
rental for a fee of products of the motion picture, recording, and video/personal computer
industries
(i)
have policies to restrict the sale, rental, or viewing to minors or music, movies, or
video/personal computer games that are deemed inappropriate for minors under the applicable
voluntary industry or labeling systems; and
(ii)
have procedures compliant with such policies;
2)
(A) whether and to what extent the motion picture, recording, and video/personal computer
industries require, monitor, or encourage the enforcement of their respective voluntary rating or
labeling systems by industry members, retail merchants, movie theaters, or others who engage in
the sale or rental for a fee of the products of such industries;
(B) whether any of the marketing practices examined may violate Federal law; and
(C) whether and to what extent the motion picture, recording, and video/personal computer
industries engage in actions to educate the public on the existence, use, or efficacy of their
voluntary rating or labeling systems.
(1) Factors of determination. - In determining whether the products of the motion picture,
recording, or video/personal computer industries are violent, sexually explicit, or otherwise
unsuitable for minors for the purposes of paragraph
(2)(A), the Commission and the Attorney General shall consider the voluntary industry rating or
labeling systems of the industry concerned as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.
(b) Report.-Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission
and the Attorney General shall submit to Congress a report on the study conducted under
subsection (a).
(c) Authority. - For the purposes of the study conducted under subsection (a), the Commission
may use its authority under subsection 6(b) of the Federal Trade Commission Act to require the
filing of reports or answers in writing to specific questions, as well as to obtain information, oral
testimony, documentary material, or tangible things.
16
13/99/99
Record Type:
Record
To:
Jeffrey A. Shesol/WHO/EOP@EOP
CC:
Subject: Re: draft remarks on youth & violence -- comments ASAP to Jeff Shesol 6-2796
Two things:
1. We're not doing commercials for TV programs (unfortunately), but we are doing ads for movies on TV,
so we have to rework that great study but hopefully not too terribly.
2. The emphasis is not as much on the violence in the ads, but in the fact that these ratings systems are
undermined when the movie industry says that a movie is for adults and then markets them to children.
So they could have an innocuous ad that draws kids into a violent movie that's rated R, and that's the
problem. Here's where the tobacco analogy would work, but we can't say that for political reasons.
many
Draft 05/28/99 5:30pm
Jeff Shesol
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
REMARKS ON CHILDREN, VIOLENCE AND MARKETING
THE ROSE GARDEN
June 1, 1999
Acknowledgments: the First Lady; AG Reno; FTC Chairman Robert Pitofsky; Arthur
Sawe [sah-WAY] and his mother Caroline; Mayor DeeDee Corradini, US Conference of Mayors;
Wash. State Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson
In recent weeks, and in the wake of tragedy, we have witnessed something truly
remarkable: Americans from all regions and all walks of life are coming together to prevent
youth violence. As you may recall, the First Lady and I traveled to Colorado recently and spoke
with the students of Columbine High School. In one sudden violent moment, just six weeks
ago, they lost much of the innocence of youth; but I am pleased to say that they have lost little of
its idealism. They have held fast to their faith in a better future - a future where hatred no longer
hardens the heart; a future where values, and not violence, make up our common culture.
The national grassroots campaign that Hillary described is rooted firmly in that same
faith that we can and will prevent youth violence by working together, across all the lines that
may divide us; and by assuming responsibility rather than assigning blame. That responsibility
begins at home. Parents must guide children as they grow, and stay involved even as children
become more independent. That responsibility must be reinforced at school; in houses of
worship; and in the community as a whole. The more invested we are in the lives of our
children, the less isolated they can become.
Those of us in public service must also do our part, and fulfill our responsibility to keep
guns out of the hands of criminals and children. To that end, there is a broad and growing
national consensus that says we must do more. I am grateful that a number of gun manufacturers
came here to the White House last month and voiced their support for our common-sense
approach. And I am encouraged that the Senate - by the narrowest of margins - agreed to close
the deadly gun-show loophole; require that safety locks be sold with every handgun; and raise
the age of handgun possession from 18 to 21. To the House of Representatives I say: Pass these
common-sense measures into law, and do so swiftly when you return to Washington. Don't put
our children's safety on hold - put it on top of your agenda.
Members of the entertainment industry must also do their part. They - and the rest of us
- must not kid ourselves: our children are being weaned on a dependable daily dose of violence.
Violent movies and television programs; violent CDs and video games; violent ads for violent
products. Studies show that the typical 18-year-old has seen 200,000 dramatized acts of violence
and 40,000 dramatized murders. Kids become numb to it. They have to. And as their tolerance
for violence grows, so, in many cases, does their taste for it. We should not be surprised that half
the video games the typical seventh-grader plays are violent ones.
1
Anyone who doubts the impact of this cultural assault can look at hundreds of studies,
three decades' worth, showing the direct link between violent entertainment and violent
behavior. What these studies tell us is that for adults, the boundary between fantasy and reality is
a bright line; but for vulnerable children, it can be blurred. Kids who are steeped in the culture of
violence become desensitized to it and more capable of committing it themselves.
That is why I have strongly urged people in the industry to consider the consequences of
what they create. Our administration has also worked to give parents the tools to protect their
kids - and block violent programming from entering their living rooms. We have developed a
voluntary rating system for television, and a V-Chip that enables parents to enforce it. We've
also made progress on parental screening for the Internet and ratings for Internet game sites.
Still, when violent entertainment made for adults is marketed to children, it undermines
the rating systems designed to protect them. Advertisements have the power to egg children on
and lure them in. Every parent knows what a commercial for sugar cereal - or the latest "Star
Wars" toy - can do to kids. They want that product and, one way or another, they're likely to get
it. An ad for an R-rated movie may have the same effect on a child. And we shudder to think of
the impact of ads for so-called "first-person shooter" video games - like the recent ad for a Sony
video game that invites players to "get in touch with your gun-toting.
cold-blooded murdering
side." Now, Arthur obviously has the inner strength to reject that kind of violent appeal. But not
every child does.
To any company that sells violent products, I say this: Children are more than
consumers. They are our future, and our most precious resource. They should not be the targets
of the marketing of violence.
Today, I am asking the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to study
the extent to which the video game, music and movie industries market violence to children -
and whether those industries are abiding by their own voluntary systems of regulation. And I
issue this challenge to the owners of movie theaters and video stores, to distributors, and to
anyone at the point of sale: enforce strictly the ratings systems on the products you sell. Check
IDs. Draw the line. If gratuitous violence is getting into PG-13-rated movies, then ratings
systems should be reevaluated. And if underage kids are getting into R-rated movies or buying
violent video games, then ratings systems should be better enforced.
I want to thank Senators Brownback, Lieberman, Hatch, and Kohl for the groundbreaking
work they've done on this issue. And I want to commend Washington State Representative
Mary Lou Dickerson, who is here with us today. Inspired by an article she read about Arthur
Sawe [sah-WAY Rep. Dickerson helped create a task force on video game violence. And,
thanks to her and that of the Washington Retailers Association, video game retailers in
their state will now voluntarily check IDs and block sales of violent games to minors.
others
I urge more states to follow their lead. This is the way we will make progress - by
constant and coordinated effort - as individuals and industries, as communities and as a nation.
2
Youth violence is a problem we face together - and it is a problem America can solve together.
By joining hands in this effort we can truly build a safer future for all our children in the 21st
Century. Thank you.
3
Draft 05/28/99 2:30pm
Jeff Shesol
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
REMARKS ON CHILDREN, VIOLENCE AND MARKETING
THE ROSE GARDEN
June 1, 1999
Acknowledgments: the First Lady; AG Reno; FTC Chairman Robert Pitofsky; Arthur
Sawe [sah-WAY] and his mother Caroline; Mayor DeeDee Corradini, US Conference of Mayors
In recent weeks, and in the wake of tragedy, we have witnessed something truly
remarkable: Americans from all regions and all walks of life are coming together to prevent
youth violence. As you may recall, the First Lady and I traveled to Colorado recently and spoke
with the students of Columbine High School. In one sudden, violent moment, just six weeks
ago, they lost much of the innocence of youth; but I am pleased to say that they have lost little of
its idealism. They have held fast to their faith in a better future - a future where hatred no longer
hardens the heart; a future where values, and not violence, make up our common culture.
The national grassroots campaign that Hillary described is rooted firmly in that same
faith: that we can and will prevent youth violence by working together, across all the lines that
may divide us; and by assuming responsibility rather than assigning blame. That responsibility
begins at home. Parents must guide children as they grow, and stay involved even as children
become more independent. That responsibility must be reinforced at school; in houses of
worship; and in the community as a whole. The more invested we are in the lives of our
children, the less isolated they can become.
Those of us in public service must also do our part, and fulfill our responsibility to keep
guns out of the hands of criminals and children. To that end, there is a broad and growing
national consensus that says we must do more. I am grateful that a number of gun manufacturers
came here to the White House last month and voiced their support for our common-sense
approach. And I am encouraged that the Senate - by the narrowest of margins - agreed to close
the deadly gun-show loophole; require that safety locks be sold with every handgun; and raise
the age of handgun possession from 18 to 21. To the House of Representatives I say: Pass these
common-sense measures into law, and do so swiftly when you return to Washington. Put our
children's safety on top of your agenda - not on hold.
Members of the entertainment industry must also do their part. They - and the rest of us
- must not kid ourselves: our children are being weaned on a dependable daily dose of.violence.
Violent movies and television programs; violent CDs and video games; violent ads for violent
products. Studies show that the typical 18-year-old has seen 200,000 dramatized acts of violence
and 40,000 dramatized murders. Kids become numb to it. They have to. And as their tolerance
for violence grows, so, in many cases, does their taste for it. As Arthur Sawe [sah-WAY] just
told us, advertisements egg children on and draw them in: a recent ad for a Sony video game
invites players to "get in touch with your gun-toting.
cold-blooded murdering side." So we
1
should not be surprised that half the video games the typical seventh-grader plays are violent
ones.
Anyone who doubts the impact of this cultural assault can look at hundreds of studies,
three decades' worth, showing the direct link between violent entertainment and violent
behavior. For adults, the boundary between fantasy and reality may be a bright line; but for
vulnerable children, it can be blurred. Kids who are steeped in the culture of violence become
desensitized to it and more capable of committing it themselves.
That is why I have strongly urged people in the industry to consider the consequences of
what they create. Our administration has also worked to give parents the tools to protect their
kids - and block violent programming from entering their living rooms. We have developed a
voluntary rating system for television, and a V-Chip that enables parents to enforce it. We've
also made progress on parental screening for the Internet and ratings for Internet game sites.
and rating systems
But these filters are designed to keep out violent programs and games, not the ads for
violent programs or games. We know that all too often, children make up the audience for
But when
violent advertisements. >A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association
They do
looked at violent ads shown during a nonviolent, family-friendly broadcast - the baseball
this,
playoffs. During each and every game of the World Series, an average of ten violent
twom
trans:
Then
commercials appeared. Ten per game. Most of the ads were for violent TV programs or violent
sawe
under-
movies. Kids may not get to see the show, but in the commercial, they're seeing the commercial.
mine
usesty
to that
Now, no parent wants to tell a child to stop watching baseball because the commercials
veriday
are too violent. But all parents know the effect that ads for sugar cereals - or the newest "Star
Wars" toy - have on our kids. So we had best be concerned about the effect that violent ads have
on our kids. And these advertisements - whether commercials, print ads, or movie trailers - are
troubling. They're pure, packaged violence, totally stripped of context or consequence.
If violent products are made, they should not be marketed to children. I think all
Americans can agree on that. Today, I am asking the Department of Justice and the Federal
Trade Commission to study the extent to which the video game, television, music and movie
industries market violence to children - and whether those industries are abiding by their own
voluntary systems of regulation. I want to acknowledge Senators Brownback, Lieberman, Hatch,
and Kohl for the work they've done to raise this issue. And I also want to issue this challenge to
owners of movie theaters and video stores, to distributors, and to anyone at the point of sale:
dn
enforce strictly the ratings systems on the entertainment you sell. Check IDs. Draw the line. If
response
tothis
gratuitous violence is getting into PG-13-rated movies, ratings systems should be reevaluated.
(?)
And if underage kids are getting into R-rated movies or buying violent video games, ratings
prog.,
systems should be better enforced.
wash
state
retailers
There is no high-tech quick fix to these problems. It will take effort, vigilant and
assoc concerted effort, by all of us to make a difference and do right by our children. But we must do
self-reg. it. We must step up to our responsibility as individuals and industries, as communities and as a
nation. Youth violence is a problem we face together - and it is a problem America can solve
2
together. By joining hands in this effort we can build a safer future for all our children in the 21st
Century. Thank you.
3
Draft 05/27/99 8:00pm
Jeff Shesol
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
REMARKS ON CHILDREN, VIOLENCE AND MARKETING
THE ROSE GARDEN
June 1, 1999
trans.
Recent whs. nat's coming ether on this issue
Today I want to talk to you about the new steps we are taking to prevent youth violence.
As you may recall, the First Lady and I traveled to Colorado recently and spoke with the
students of Columbine High School. In one sudden, violent moment, just six weeks ago, they
lost much of the innocence of youth; but I am pleased to say that they have lost little of its
idealism. They have held fast to their faith in a better future - a future where hatred no longer
hardens young hearts; a future where values, and not violence, make up our common culture.
the
The national grassroots campaign that Hillary described is rooted firmly in that same
faith: that we can and will prevent youth violence by working together, across all the lines that
may divide us; and by assuming responsibility rather than assigning blame. That responsibility
begins at home. Parents must guide children as they grow, and stay involved even as children
become more independent. That responsibility must be reinforced at school; in houses of
worship; and in the community as a whole. The more invested we are in the lives of our
children, the less isolated they can become.
Those of us in public service must also do our part, and fulfill our responsibility to keep
guns out of the hands of criminals and children. To that end, there is a broad and growing
national consensus that says we must do more. I am grateful that a number of gun manufacturers
came here to the White House last month and voiced their support for our common-sense
approach. And I am encouraged that the Senate by the narrowest of margins - agreed to close
the deadly gun-show loophole; require that safety locks be sold with every handgun; and raise
the age of handgun possession from 18 to 21. To the House of Representatives I say: Pass these
common-sense measures into law, and do SO swiftly when you return to Washington. Put our
children's safety on top of your agenda - not on hold.
Members of the entertainment industry must also step up to their responsibility. Ast
do their part.
have said, those with greater influence have greater Presponsibility. Anyone who questions the
influence of this industry can look at hundreds of studies, three decades' worth, showing a direct
link between violent entertainment and violent behavior by children. For adults, the boundary
between fantasy and reality is a bright line; for vulnerable children, it can be blurry. Those who
are steeped in the culture of violence become desensitized to it and more capable of committing
it themselves.
For this reason, I appreciate that members of the entertainment industry have worked with
us to develop a voluntary rating system for television, and a V-Chip that enables parents to
enforce it. Together we've also made progress on parental screening for the Internet and ratings
1
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rebutting our
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own policies
consider This :
for game sites. But no filter can hold back a flood. When half the video games the typical
seventh-grader plays are violent ones, there is no such thing as a high-tech quick fix. When the
typical 18-year-old has seen 200,000 dramatized acts of violence and 40,000 dramatized
our kids murders, there can be no new-fangled replacement for old-fashioned restraint.
samared w/ violence game plan, commerc. see; movies watch - violent. It affects them.
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I have challenged people in the industry to consider the consequences of what they create,
and to make movies, music, games and programs as if their own children were watching. And
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point
study in the Journal of the American Medical Association looked at violent ads shown during a
nonviolent, family-friendly broadcast - the baseball playoffs. During each and every game of the
World Series, an average of ten violent commercials appeared. Ten per game. Most of the ads
were
were for violent TV shows or violent movies. Now, no parent wants to tell a child to stop
nor,
watching baseball because the commercials are too violent. But these advertisements - whether
saying
TV ads, print ads, or movie trailers - are troubling. They're pure, packaged violence, totally
consorship. stripped of context or consequence. And the meaning of some of these ads is all too direct:
were.
recently, a Sony video game invited players to "get in touch with your gun-toting.
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what was
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see R
the point of sale: enforce strictly the ratings systems on the entertainment you purvey. Check
circum- IDs. Draw the line. If ratings systems are allowing gratuitous violence into PG-13-rated movies,
vented they should be reevaluated. And if they aren't keeping children from seeing R-rated movies or
m
buying violent video games, they must be better enforced.
ads.
We must all work harder. To do right by our children, we must step up to our
responsibility as individuals and industries, as communities and as a nation. Youth violence is a
problem we face together - and it is a problem America can solve together. By joining hands in
this effort we can build a safer future for all our children in the 21st Century. Thank you.
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Draft 05/27/99 7:45pm
Jeff Shesol
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
REMARKS ON CHILDREN, VIOLENCE AND MARKETING
THE ROSE GARDEN
June 1, 1999
Today I want to talk to you about a new step we are taking to prevent youth violence.
As you may recall, the First Lady and I traveled to Colorado recently and spoke with the
students of Columbine High School. In one sudden, violent moment, just six weeks ago, they
lost much of the innocence of youth; but I am pleased to say that they have lost little of its
idealism. They have held fast to their faith in a better future - a future where hatred no longer
hardens young hearts; a future where values, and not violence, make up our common culture.
Hillam
The national grassroots campaign that the First Lady described is rooted firmly in that
same faith: that we can and will prevent youth violence by working together, across all the lines
that may divide us; and by assuming responsibility rather than assigning blame. That
responsibility begins at home. Parents must guide children as they grow, and stay involved even
as children become more independent. That responsibility must be reinforced at school;
in
houses of worship; and in the community as a whole. The more invested we are in the lives of our
children, the less isolated they can become.
Those of us in public service must also do our part, and fulfill our responsibility to keep
guns out of the hands of criminals and children. To that end, there is a broad and growing
national consensus that says we must do more. I am grateful that a number of gun manufacturers came here
voiced their support for our common-sense approach. And I am encouraged that the Senate to
WA
- by the narrowest of margins - agreed to close the deadly gun-show loophole; require that safety
locks be sold with every handgun; and raise the age of handgun possession from 18 to 21. the
strongly urge the House of Representatives to pass these common-sense measures into law, and
to do so swiftly when return to Washington. Put our children's safety on top of your agenda
- not on hold.
Members of the entertainment industry must also step up to their responsibility. As I
have said, "those with greater influence have greater responsibility." Anyone who questions the
influence of this industry can look at hundreds of studies, three decades' worth, showing a direct
link between violent entertainment and violent behavior by children. For adults, the boundary
between fantasy and reality is a bright line; for vulnerable children, it can be blurry. Those who
are steeped in the culture of violence become desensitized to it and more capable of committing
it themselves.
that
For this reason, I appreciate the members of the entertainment industry who have worked
with us to develop a voluntary rating system for television and V-Chip that enables parents to
enforce it. Together we've also made progress on parental screening for the Internet and ratings
1
for game sites. But no filter can hold back a flood. When half the video games the typical
seventh-grader plays are violent video games, there is no such thing as a high-tech quick fix.
When the typical 18-year-old has seen 200,000 dramatized acts of violence and 40,000
dramatized murders, there can be no new-fangled replacement for old-fashioned restraint.
I have challenged people in the industry to consider the consequences of what they create,
and to make movies, music, games and programs as if their own children were watching. And I
have said: If violent products are made, at the very least they should not be marketed to children.
Still, we know that all too often, children make up the audience for violent ads. A recent
study in the Journal of the American Medical Association looked at violent ads shown during a
nonviolent, family-friendly broadcast - the baseball playoffs. During each and every game of the
World Series, an average of ten violent commercials appeared. Ten per game. Most of the ads
were for violent TV shows or violent movies. Now, no parent wants to tell a child to stop
watching baseball because the commercials are too violent. But these Partisements - whether
TV ad, print ad, or movie trailer - are troubling. They're pure, violence, totally distilled stripped
1
of context or consequence. And the meaning of some of them these is all too direct: recently, a Sony
video game invited players to "get in touch with your gun-toting.
cold-blooded murdering
side."
kido
Now, children, as any parent will tell you, are not passive observers. Children are not
about The
only watching, they're paying attention. And if we're concerned that the ads for the latest sugar
cereal or "Star Wars" toy have an impact on our kids, we had best be concerned about the impact
of violent ads on our kids.
I think all Americans can agree: it is wrong to market violence to children. Today, I am
asking the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to study the extent to which
the video game, television, music and movie industries market violence to children - and
whether those industries are abiding by their own voluntary systems of regulation. I am also
issuing a challenge to owners of movie theaters and video stores, to distributors, and to anyone at
the point of sale: enforce strictly the ratings systems on the entertainment you purvey. Check
IDs. Draw the line. If ratings systems are allowing gratuitous violence into PG-13-rated movies,
they should be reevaluated. And if they aren't keeping children out of R-rated movies, they must
be better enforced.
work
hander
to do rt. our from kidst seeing
or mijnig prog
have to
buying Violent
We must all do better. We must step up to our responsibility as individuals and
rideo
industries, as communities and as a nation. For youth violence is a problem we face together -
games,
and it is a problem we can solve together. By joining hands we can build a safer future for all
our children in the 21st Century. Thank you.
in this
endervors
2
Heather M. Riley
05/15/99 10:25:07 AM
Record Type:
Record
To:
See the distribution list at the bottom of this message
CC:
Subject: RESEND 5/15 Radio Address--sent old one
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
Embargoed For Release
Until 10:06 A.M. EDT
Saturday, May 15, 1999
RADIO ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT
TO THE NATION
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. In the past few weeks, ever since that
terrible day in Littleton, people all across America have searched their souls and
searched for solutions to prevent this kind of tragedy from happening again, and to
reduce the level of violence to which our children are exposed.
Last Monday, at our White House strategy session on children and violence,
representatives of every sector of society agreed on one fundamental fact: making
progress requires taking responsibility by all of us. That begins at home. Parents have
a duty to guide children as they grow and to stay involved in their lives as they grow
older and more independent. Educators have a responsibility to provide safe learning
environments, to teach children how to handle conflicts without violence and how to
treat all young people, no matter how different, with respect. They also need to teach
them how to get counseling or mental health services if they're needed.
Communities have a responsibility to make sure that there is a village, as the
First Lady said, that supports all its children -- especially those who don't get their
needs met at home. And the community needs to do more to get our kids involved in
working with each other and serving the community, not being isolated from it.
And here in Washington we have a responsibility. We've got a responsibility to
keep guns out of the hands of criminals and children. There's a broad national
consensus on that point. At the White House conference the gun manufacturers
agreed that we need common sense approaches. Everybody agrees except the U.S.
Senate. For example, everyone knows we need a real law to close the deadly gun
show loophole, through which thousands, indeed, tens of thousands of guns are sold
each year without background checks -- even though they'd have to have a background
check to be sold in a gun store.
Now, the Senate declined to pass that bill. Even worse, the Senate's substitute
bill is riddled with new loopholes -- permitting convicted felons to get guns at pawn
shops, no questions asked; and making it harder, not easier, for law enforcement to
trace guns used in crimes. If the Senate wants to fix the problem, it should fix the
problem, not make it worse. The American people deserve better. They know law
abiding citizens don't need loopholes in our gun laws, only criminals do. I sure hope
that in the coming weeks the Senate will step up to its responsibility and do the right
thing by our children.
I've always said the entertainment industry must do its part, too. In 1993, shortly
after I became President, I traveled to Hollywood and spoke there, to members of the
community about their responsibility. I said then, you have the capacity to do good, to
help change the way we behave, the way we think of ourselves; examine what together
you might do to help us rebuild the frayed bonds of community, to give children
nonviolent ways to resolve their frustrations.
After six years of work the entertainment industry is helping parents to limit
children's exposure to violence, working with the administration on a voluntary rating
system for television and the V-chip to enforce it; and on parental screening for the
Internet and ratings for all Internet game sites. But there is still too much violence on
our nation's screens, large and small. Too many creators and purveyors of violence
say there is nothing they can do about it. And there are still too many vulnerable
children who are steeped in this culture of violence, becoming increasingly desensitized
to it and to its consequences and, therefore, as studies show, hundreds of them more
liable to commit violence themselves.
By the age of 18, the typical American will see 40,000 dramatized murders.
There are those who say they can or should do nothing about this. But I believe they're
wrong. Every one of us has a role to play in giving our kids a safe future. And those
with greater influence have greater responsibility. We should see movies and music,
TV programs, video games and advertising for them made by people who made them
as if their own children were watching. Members of the entertainment community can
make a big difference.
Today, I want to issue three specific challenges to them. First, the whole
industry should stop showing guns in any ads or previews children might see. Second,
I challenge theater and video store owners all across our country to enforce more
strictly the rating systems on the movies they show, rent and sell. You should check
IDs, not turn the other way as a child walks unchaperoned into an R-rated movie.
Third, I challenge the movie industry to reevaluate its entire ratings systems, especially
the PG rating, to determine whether it is allowing too much gratuitous violence in
movies approved for viewing by children.
Our administration is fighting to do all we can to protect children. The
entertainment industry should do everything it can, too. Across America people are
coming together, saying, yes, together we can change this culture of violence; together
we can give our children a safer future and a culture of values we'll be proud to pass on
to future generations. We can do it together.
Thank you.
END
Message Sent To:
Draft 05/14/99 11:30am
Jeff Shesol
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
RADIO ADDRESS ON VIOLENCE AND
THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
May 14, 1999
Good morning. In the past few weeks, our nation has been united in grief with the people
of Littleton. Today, I want to talk to you about the ways we must unite in action to keep our
children safe.
Since that terrible day, people across America have searched their souls and searched for
solutions to prevent this kind of tragedy from happening again. And last week, at our White
House strategy session on children and violence, representatives of every sector of society agreed
on one fundamental fact: making progress requires taking responsibility.
That responsibility begins at home. Parents have a duty to guide children as they grow,
staying engaged, staying involved in their lives. The most important influence on a child is a
parent.
Here in Washington, we have a responsibility to keep guns out of the hands of criminals
and children. There is a broad national consensus on that point -- everywhere, it seems, except
the U.S. Senate. Last week, the Senate twice passed a phony proposal instead of a real law that
would close the deadly gun show loophole, through which tens of thousands of guns are sold
each year without background checks. Even worse, the Senate is riddled with new loopholes --
permitting convicted felons to get guns at pawn shops, no questions asked; and making it harder,
not easier, for law enforcement to trace guns used in crimes.
If the Senate says it wants to fix the problem, it should fix the problem. At the very least
it should not make the problem worse. The American people deserve -- and have demanded
better. They know that law-abiding citizens don't need loopholes in our gun laws. Only
criminals do. I strongly hope that in the coming weeks, the Senate will step up to its
responsibility and do the right thing by our children.
I have also said that the entertainment industry must do its part. In 1993, shortly after I
became President, I traveled to Hollywood and spoke to members of the community about their
responsibility. I said: "You have the capacity to do good -- to help change the way we behave,
the way we think of ourselves.
Examine what together you might do to help us rebuild the
frayed bonds of community, to give children nonviolent ways to resolve their frustrations."
Today, the entertainment industry is helping parents limit children's exposure to violence
1
-- working with the administration on a voluntary ratings system for television and parental
screening for the Internet. But there is still too much violence on our nation's screens, large and
small. There are too many creators and purveyors of violence who say there is nothing they can
do about it. And there are too many vulnerable children who steep in this culture of violence;
imbibing it; becoming desensitized to it and, as studies show, more capable of committing it
themselves. By age 18, the typical American will see 40,000 dramatized murders.
Those who say they can do nothing about this are wrong. By changing the way it does
business, the entertainment industry can make a big difference. Today, I am issuing a challenge
to the entire entertainment industry -- to stop showing guns in any ads and previews children
might see. Second, I challenge theater owners across America to enforce more strictly the age
requirements on the movies they show. No theater owner should turn the other way as a child
walks into an R-rated movie. [And third, I am asking the Department of Justice and the Federal
Trade Commission to study the extent to which the video game, television, music and movie
industries market violence to children -- and whether those industries are abiding by their own
voluntary systems of self-regulation.] Our administration is fighting to do everything we can to
keep guns out of the hands of children. The entertainment industry should do the same.
Across America, people are coming together and saying, yes, we can change this culture
of violence. I believe that we will -- and that we can build, in its place, a culture of values which
we would be proud to pass on to future generations. Thank you.
2
16
13/28/99 02:20:37
Record Type:
Record
sawe - saw bad ad
To:
Jeffrey A. Shesol/WHO/EOP@EOP
CC:
wash state enforcement
Subject:
tougher sale at point of
This memo was put in letter form and just went to staff secretary:
(woods seattle Times)
June 1, 1999
MEMORANDUM FOR :
Chairman Pitofsky
Federal Trade Commission
The Attorney General
Department of Justice
New technologies have enabled us to learn, work, and grow in ways that were unimaginable
just a few years ago, and modern media has brought culture, entertainment, and education to a
wider audience than ever before. With this great power, there also comes an enormous
responsibility to ensure that parents have the tools they need so that the movies children watch,
the music they listen to, and the video games they play reflect the values that parents want to
pass on to their children.
Too often today children are exposed to images that glamorize violence and desensitize
children to it. Numerous studies have shown that this kind of violent programming can
promote violent tendencies in children. Media violence increases children's aggression
towards others and promotes the development of a sense of callousness towards violence. And
such programming can have a particularly negative effect on children who are already
vulnerable.
Our Administration has worked hard to give parents the information they need to make the
right choices for their children. This Administration has brought about a breakthrough
agreement by the television industry to create a content-based voluntary ratings system that
informs viewers of the appropriateness of the programs they watch. Along with the V-Chip,
this rating system will enable parents to choose the programs their children watch, and allow
them to better control the images their children are exposed to.
Today, the movie, recording, and video game industries also all use content-based ratings to
improve the choices parents have If and to the extent, however, that these industries market
violent materials, rated for adults, to children, then they undermine the effective functioning of
the ratings systems. And the industries make it harder for parents to control the movies,
music and games to which their children are exposed.
Therefore, today, I am writing you to request that the Federal Trade Commission and the
Department of Justice conduct a study on the marketing practices of the motion picture,
recording, and video game industries with regard to material rated for adults to determine
whether and to what extent these industries market such material to children. Among other
matters, the study should examine whether such violent material rated for adults is advertised
or promoted in media outlets in which minors comprise a substantial percentage of the
audience. The study also should examine whether these advertisements are intended to and in
fact attract underage audiences.
As a result of this study, we will learn more about how violence is marketed to our children. I
thank both of you for your efforts in this area and your attention to this project.
Dr.
JULIE B. GOLDBERG
05/20/99 07:55:12 PM
Record Type:
Record
To:
See the distribution list at the bottom of this message
CC:
Subject: Remarks by the President and First Lady to the Columbine High School Community
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Littleton, Colorado)
For Immediate Release
May 20, 1999
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT AND THE FIRST LADY
TO THE COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL COMMUNITY
Dakota Ridge High School
Littleton, Colorado
4:37 P.M. MDT
MRS. CLINTON: Thank you. Thank you, Heather. Thank
you, Dr. Hammond. Thank you, Mr. DeAngelis. And most of all,
thank you, the students of Columbine.
You know, when we walked in, I saw the cheer that was
going from one side to the other side, and the chant, "We are
Columbine!" that went back and forth, and the enthusiasm and the
energy that was behind that cheer. But to me, it was more than
that. It was a real statement about who you are and, indeed, who
we all are. Because in a very real way, what happened here at
Columbine has so deeply affected the rest of our country, that we
are all Columbine.
We have suffered and wept and prayed and hoped, and,
yes, cheered, as lives have been mourned, as those who are
injured have healed, as parents and citizens have come together
to ask, "where do we go from here?" and as all of you who are
the students of Columbine have shown us over this last month,
your courage and your grace, your kindness and your love.
We have just spent time with the families of those who
lost someone they loved. It's not the first time that my husband
and I have done that. We've listened to and looked into the eyes
and held the hands and felt the hugs of men and women and
children who have suffered the evil and the tragedy that
intervenes unexpectedly a bombing of an embassy, a shooting
down of a plane or an accident that lost lives. And we've always
been moved by and felt deeply the pain that others were
suffering.
And no tragedy is ever like any other tragedy, because
every person is unique, and everyone who is lost was a gift of
God that should have been cherished and who has to be remembered.
But what happened here at Columbine a month ago has had an impact
unlike any that I have ever seen or felt. It has pierced the
heart of America. And what we are all looking for and what I
always hope we can find from a tragedy like this, is how we move
forward together, to do what we can to help prevent this ever
happening again.
Now, of course, even today, yet another school was
terrorized by a shooting. Thankfully, no one was killed but
it should never have happened.
So as we meet here, as we imagine, as hard as it must
be, what this past month must has been for you the losses, the
questions, the glare of the world's spotlight I think we all
know that there are no words that are adequate to your
experience. But I hope you know that the way you've conducted
yourselves, and your story and the stories of those killed and
injured have been an inspiration and a motivation for many people
whom you'll never meet.
We're inspired by the strength of the students and the
teachers; by your determination to return to school to finish out
your year with your friends and your classmates. We're inspired
by your refusal to let violence and hatred win.
We're inspired by the courage of the families, who have
faced a moment that every parent prays will never happen. We're
inspired by the words we heard today, as well as what we've heard
in the past month as to how SO many of you are looking for
opportunities to reach out to make sure that here in this
community and as far as the ripples can go, the messages that you
feel you want to communicate to each other will be heard.
We heard those messages today, listening to parents,
brothers and sisters, grandparents, a wife, children. And the
message had many different sounds to it, coming from different
voices. But what struck me was how clearly those who have been
most wounded want to turn this into something positive for
others. That is what we have seen from the Columbine community.
And it has inspired reactions literally around the
world. One family told us of receiving a letter from France,
written completely in French they couldn't read it, but they
knew what it said. I know of the young boys and girls around the
country who have been writing letters and drawing pictures to
share their feelings. And I know here, in Jefferson County, the
services that have been offered, and the way people have been
trying to knit together more help.
Many of you will be graduating and I congratulate
you. It wasn't so long ago that our daughter graduated, and I
remember the conversations around our kitchen table and listening
to her friends as they were planning their summer plans, or
thinking about college, or going to work. And I know you're
thinking about all of that as well.
But perhaps more than others, you may also be thinking
about what kind of community, and country, you want to raise your
own children in someday and how we will take what happened in
Columbine, and not only never forget it, but use it to make more
opportunities for others to live the kind of lives we would have
wished for those who were lost.
Imagine what our country could accomplish if everyone
acted as your principal described you, as a family members of
the human family, as well as the Columbine family; the American
family members of a community and a nation that was really
committed to making sure that we helped each other, we cared
about each other, we reached out to one another.
Imagine, as we heard from your principal, what it would
mean if more parents, in this community and around our country,
thought about what more they could do to spend time with their
own children, to listen to your concerns, your dreams, your
fears, your aspirations.
And imagine what could happen if more young people
talked more openly with one another, as well as with their
parents and other adults, looking for ways to heal the wounds
that all of us carry just from life's everyday experiences. And
imagine if every adult in America began looking at his or her
personal life, professional life and public life with the view
toward making sure that whatever we do is good for children.
There is no more fitting monument or tribute to those
who died than to promise ourselves that we will do everything we
can to prevent it from happening anywhere else but more than
just preventing something bad from happening, that we will commit
ourselves to try to make positive differences in the lives of
those around us.
We cannot roll back the clock and undo the tragic
events of a month ago. But we can fight the bitterness and
hopelessness that weaken our resolve to remain part of one
community. We can reach out, where children are taught to care
and not to hate. We can offer a kind word to people. We can try
to bridge the differences that too often come between us. And we
can look for ways at all levels of society to make the changes we
know we have to make.
I hope that we 11 be able to reach a better
understanding of what we need to do to care for our young people.
And I hope that if we all feel that we are Columbine, as the
cheer goes, we won't give up until we do make it better for
everyone.
I want to introduce now someone I know is resolved to
do what he can, who has spoken out consistently on behalf of the
needs of young people and families, who has tried to speak out
against hatred and talk about how we need to reach out and help
each other. And as I do, I want to just leave you with the words
of a poet who means a lot to my husband and me the Nobel Prize
winner Seamus Heaney.
In one of our favorite poems, coming out of the
terrible Troubles that he's written about and experienced in
Northern Ireland, where bombs and guns have been too much the
experience of children, he writes: "So hope for a greater sea
change on the far side of revenge. Believe that a further shore
is reachable from here. Believe in miracle and cures and healing
well."
I believe in miracles and cures and healing well. I
believe that each of us has the responsibility to do what we can
to reach that farther shore. And I introduce now someone who
believes that with all of his heart the President of the
United States. (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Do that cheer for
me one more time.
STUDENTS: We are Columbine! We are Columbine! We are
Columbine! We are Columbine! (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.
Doctor Hammond; Mr. DeAngelis; President DeStefano and
the state legislators, county commissioners; Attorney General
Salazar; especially Governor Owens, thank you for being here. To
all the officials who are here; most especially to the students
of Columbine and the students who are here from Chatfield and
Dakota Ridge. And Heather Dinkel, thank you for standing up here
in front of this big crowd and making a fine talk. Weren't you
proud of her? She did a good job representing you today.
(Cheers and applause.)
I want to say a special word of thanks to the families
who met with Hillary and me before we came over here for telling
us the stories and showing us the booklets commemorating the
lives of their very special children. I also want to thank the
fine young people who still are hospitalized with whom I spoke by
telephone yesterday -- two of them, Patrick Ireland and Sean
Graves, are here today. They left the hospital to be here.
(Applause.)
I know there are some other people here who are also
still injured who have come. I thank all of you for coming.
This has been a long, hard month for all of you, and as Hillary
said, it's been a hard month for America.
You heard her say that part of our job in these last
six years, more than we ever could have imagined when we moved to
Washington after the election in 1992, has been to be with
grieving people after the Oklahoma City building was blown up,
and the embassies were blown up, and our airmen were killed in
the bombing in Saudi Arabia, and so many other occasions; several
times after violence in schools. But something profound has
happened to your country because of this. I want you all to
understand that. I'm not even sure I can explain it to you.
One of the incidents of school killing last year
occurred in my home state. It's a small state. I was governor
there 12 years. I knew the people involved; it was
heartbreaking. One of the mothers of one of the children who was
killed still works with us for safer schools and safer
childhoods. And all America grieved. But I think they thought,
oh, this is terrible, I wish somebody would do something about
this.
But somehow, when this happened here maybe because
of the scope of it, and I think mostly because of you how you
reacted, all of you, the relief workers, the law enforcement
people, the family members who were brave enough to speak
there was a different reaction. People thought, this has
happened in my neighborhood; what can I do?
I say that because you have a unique chance a chance
to make sure that the children of Columbine are never
forgotten. (Applause.)
But, first, you have to deal with you and your lives.
You're all left with searing memories and scars and unanswered
questions. There has to be healing, there have to be answers.
And for those things that will not heal or cannot be answered,
you have to learn to go on with your lives.
I hope you have been comforted by the caring not only
of your neighbors, but of your country and people from all around
the world. All America has looked and listened with shared grief
and enormous affection and admiration for you. We have been
learning along with you, a lot about ourselves and our
responsibilities as parents and citizens.
When America looks at Jefferson County, many of us see
a community not very different from our own. We know if this can
happen here, it can happen anywhere. And we see with admiration
the fundamentally strong values and character of the people here,
from the students to the school officials, to the community
leaders, to the parents.
I think most Americans have looked at you and thought
that, among other things, that, God forbid, if something like
this should ever happen to us, I hope we would behave as well. I
hope we would also hold on to our faith as well.
I am impressed that you are moving forward. Most of
the children have returned to school, even returned to sports and
other activities. I am proud of all of you who are, in your own
way, going back to living your lives, looking toward the future,
to commencement or college, or a summer job, or just getting back
to the ordinary business of life, which takes an extraordinary
effort now. But I have to say, I think what's impressed me most
is the way, in the midst of this, you have held on to your faith.
One of the greatest moments of grief in my life
occurred 15 years ago, when Hillary and I had to go to the
memorial service for a young man who was a senior at Yale
University a Rhodes Scholar, on the football team, the editor
of the newspaper, the leader of his class academically. This
young man happened to come from an African American family in our
hometown, and a poor family at that. His father was a minister
in a very small church. And we had the service in the high
school auditorium.
His father was lame and he walked with a pronounced
limp. And he gave his son's eulogy, walking down in front of us
with his limp, saying, his mother and I do not understand this.
But we believe in a God too kind ever to be cruel, too wise ever
to do wrong, so we know we will come to understand it by and by.
In the Scriptures, St. Paul says that all of us in this
life see through a glass darkly. So we must walk by faith, not
by sight. We cannot lean on our own wisdom. None of this can be
fully, satisfactorily explained to any of you. But you cannot
lose your faith.
The only other thing I really want to say to you is
that throughout all your grief and mourning, and even in your
cheers and your renewal and your determination to get on with
your life and get this school back together and show people what
you are, there is something else you can do, and something I
believe that you should do for yourselves and your friends, to
make sure they will be remembered. Every special one of them.
Your tragedy, though it is unique in its magnitude, is,
as you know so well, not an isolated event. Hillary mentioned
there was another school shooting in Atlanta today. Thankfully,
the injuries to the students don't seem to be life-threatening.
But there were several last year which did claim lives.
We know somehow that what happened to you has pierced
the soul of America. And it gives you a chance to be heard in a
way no one else can be heard by the President and by ordinary
people in every community in this country. You can help us to
build a better future for all our children, a future where hatred
and distrust no longer distort the mind or harden the heart. A
future where what we have in common is far more important than
what divides us. A future where parents and children are more
fully involved in each other's lives; in which they share hopes
and dreams, love and respect, a strong sense of right and wrong.
A future where students respect each other even if they all
belong to different groups, or come from different faiths, or
races, or backgrounds. A future where schools and houses of
worship, and communities, are literally connected to all our
children. A future where society guards our children better
against violent influences and weapons that can break the dam of
decency and humanity in the most vulnerable of children.
One thing I would like to share with you that I
personally believe very much: these dark forces that take over
people and make them murder are the extreme manifestation of fear
and rage with which every human being has to do combat. The
older you get, the more you'll know that a great deal of life is
the struggle against every person's own smallness and fear and
anger and a continuing effort not to blame other people for
our own shortcomings or our fears.
We cannot do what we need to do in America únless every
person is committed to doing something better and different in
every walk of life, beginning with parents and students and going
all the way to the White House. For the struggle to be human is
something that must be a daily source of joy to you, so you can
get rid of your fears and let go of your rage, and minimize the
chance that something like this will happen again.
Because of what you have endured, you can help us build
that kind of future, as virtually no one else can. You can reach
across all the political and religious and racial and cultural
lines that divide us. You have already touched our hearts. You
have provoked Hillary and me and the Vice President and Mrs. Gore
to reach out across America to launch a national grass-roots
campaign against violence directed against young people. You can
be a part of that.
You can give us a culture of values instead of a
culture of violence. You can help us to keep guns out of the
wrong hands. You can help us to make sure kids who are in
trouble and there will always be some are identified early
and reached and helped. You can help us do this.
Two days from now, you're going to have your
commencement. It will be bittersweet. It will certainly be
different for those of you who are graduating than you thought it
was going to be when you were freshmen. But, as I understand it,
there will be some compensations. Even your arch-rivals at
Chatfield will be cheering you on. When you hear those people
cheer for you, I want you to hear the voice of America, because
America will be cheering you on. And remember that a
commencement is not an end; it is a beginning.
You've got to help us here. Take care of yourselves
and your families first. Take care of the school next. But
remember, you can help America heal, and in SO doing you will
speed the process of healing for yourselves.
This is a very great country. It is embodied in this
very great community, in this very great school, with these
wonderful teachers and children and parents. But the problem
which came to the awful conclusion you faced here is a demon we
have to do more to fight. And what I want to tell you is, we can
-- together.
I close here with this story. My wife and I and our
daughter have been blessed to know many magnificent people
because the American people gave us a chance to serve in the
White House. But I think the person who's had the biggest
influence on me
is the man who is about to retire as
the President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela.
He is 80 years old, he served 27 years in prison. For
14 years, he never had a bed to sleep on. He spent most of his
years breaking rocks every day. And he told me once about his
experience. And I asked him: How did you let go of your hatred?
How did you learn to influence other people? How did you embrace
all the differences in, literally, the centuries of oppression
and discord in your country and let a lot of it go away? How did
you get over that in prison? Didn't you really hate them?
MORE
- 6 -
And he said: I did hate them for quite a long while.
After all, look what they took from me -- 27 years of my life. I
was abused physically and emotionally. They separated me from my
wife and it eventually destroyed my marriage. They took me away
from my children and I could not even see them grow up. And I
was full of hatred and anger.
And he said: One day I was breaking rocks and I
realized they had taken so much. And they could take everything
from me except my mind and my heart. Those things I would have
to give away. I decided not to give them away.
I see here today that you have decided not to give your
mind and your heart away. I ask you now to share it with all
your fellow Americans.
We love you, and we need you.
Thank you, and God bless you. (Applause.)
END
5:08 P.M. MDT
Message Sent To:
THE WHITE HOUSE
- Karen T.
-
WASHINGTON
- Janet
Richard
CONF.CALL 5/27 9AM
- Neera/Ruby
- varen K.
FTC Event
11:00 Briefing oval
11:30 event - 12:15
Rose Gdn
1) FL
or Rm 450
2) child and/
or
trying to keep
(rain)
positive programmer
Brownbach+
3) POTUS
lieberman from
having spealing role
1
3:00
"YOUTH VIOLENCE
11:20 Briefing oval
ANNOUNCEMENT"
11:30 event
program
1) FL - Nate Campaign
FTC ?
AG ? member ?
parent
POTUS
Basics of studer
FTC-POJ Dmkt practices : movies, TV, video, music
spec: : - mkting violent material fated
pannonncement
for adults) to children
2) Gen. challenge on ? rating systems - reevaluate
+ point of sale - enforce
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
5/26
6:45 pm
Bruce Reed
TV ?
still arguing W/DOJ over #
Frc will also have more to say, but they say
- let's make it about mkting violence
to kids
- are these regimes all they say they are?
Based on Brownback - lieberman
- movies, video, recordings TV ?
- connete do we invite them ? prob. not peaking role
Compact examples of nkting
- movie ads
- video game ad : "let's Get a cold Together one" over
got Doom? some coverage in post.littleton
- times mag on Doom creatory
Edge
-
bring up tobacco w/o suggesting moral
- KEY: IT'S WRONG To MKT TO KIDS -
- cigs in movies had consequences equivalence they
tepped
reptrs will want to make leap from
up to
Do Dos- FTC to tobacco
respons.
Are there any studies, figs.
they spend on movie ads on TV;
print ads for video games
- Check trade usad.
- ie., Bud frogs; Joe camel
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
(gen)
studies on much b/w advertising
+
lado' behavior;
from sugary cereals on down
these ads have impact
-every parent known
taroat - clearing on grous
when cong. returns
measures w/o loopholes pass + w/o delay
OUTLINE
6/1 KIDS,
THE WHITE HOUSE
VIOLENCE,
WASHINGTON
MARKETING SP.
Intro
- Natil campaign
stepping up to responsibility, etc
- Encouraged
- - guns 's sen. mfrs. vs. House -act w/o delan
- parents
- entertainment ind.
(gen) (see radio address)
- marketing
- describe the problem
commercials/ads
violent we ads are prevalent impact (stats)
from can infer impact on behavior
kids love violent games
parents can't police (MLB)
- so...
- study
- challenge [or announcementa]
-