It is a shame that Congress was even forced to address this issue.  Given the considerable influence television and radio have on millions of  young people, I would have hoped the industry would have held itself to a higher standard, and practiced more vigilance in the material it chose to air. In fact, if some of the national networks had exercised the common sense our local radio and television stations practice, we wouldn’t be in this situation. 

 But with the recent stunt that occurred during the Super Bowl Half Time show, the industry obviously pushed the envelope way too far. As a result, my colleagues and I were forced to send broadcasters a clear, enforceable message -- enough is enough. 

This year I watched the Super Bowl with friends and family at a neighbor’s house in my hometown of Prescott. Like millions of other Americans, we were having a great evening, spending quality time together and watching a good game of football. 

Needless to say we were all shocked and disgusted by the events we observed during the Half Time show, not to mention the fact that our children were subjected to such indecency on network television! 

That sort of behavior by the networks is an absolute disgrace. Like many other parents, my friends and I were disgusted – and embarrassed -- that our children were exposed to such inappropriateness during what was supposed to be a family-oriented event. 

I am proud that the broadcast industry is voluntarily taking the initiative to deal with these programming issues. Among these initiatives include the issuing of public service announcements concerning the benefits of the V-Chip, a delay in the transmission of live events, and the convening of an indecency summit in Washington later this month. 

I firmly believe the stricter penalties enforced on broadcasters as part of the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act will have a profound impact on the type of material our media chooses to air.  A fine of $27,500 may not do much to change the behavior of a broadcaster or entertainer who has millions, but I can assure you that half a million dollars will.

(WASHINGTON DC) – Fourth District Rep. Mike Ross joined House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and other Members of Congress Wednesday to express concern over President Bush’s proposed budget for 2005, which negatively impacts African Americans. Bush’s budget fails to create jobs and instead, shortchanges education, health care, and veterans benefits. 

“President Bush’s budget does nothing to create good-paying jobs here at home,” said Ross. “The African American unemployment rate today is 9.8 percent -- nearly double that of the overall national unemployment rate. 

“His budget also fails to adequately address the growing health care crisis our country faces today. There are 7.4 million African Americans without health insurance, and millions more who can barely afford to pay their premiums. But instead of creating a budget that tries to help them, Bush’s proposed budget instead includes $46 billion in special payments to HMO’s, and does nothing to lower the high-cost of prescription drugs.” 

The average African American family gets only $25 from the centerpiece of the President’s so-called “growth” package – the elimination of the tax on stock dividends.  At the same time, the President’s budget slashes funding for small business programs designed to help the 800,000 African American-owned businesses nationwide thrive. 

The Bush Administration’s budget guts Head Start, which helps more than 297,000 African American children enter school ready to learn.  And it eliminates Even Start, which helps 9,500 African American children and often their parents learn to read. 

“It’s all about priorities,” said Ross. “Nine million Americans are out of work today, including 1.6 African Americans. Forty-four million Americans today lack health insurance, including 7.4 million African Americans. And we’re on track to run a record $521 billion deficit. We have got to get our priorities back in order, and President Bush’s budget fails to do that.” 

Other Members of Congress participating with Ross and Pelosi in today’s press conference include Congressional Black Caucus Chair Rep. Elijah Cummings (MD-07), Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03), Rep. Max Sandlin (TX-01), Rep. Denise Majette (GA-04), and Rep. Artur Davis (AL-07).