S-1469.1          _______________________________________________

                            SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 8014

                  _______________________________________________

State of Washington              52nd Legislature             1991 Regular Session

By Senator McCaslin.

Read first time February 19, 1991.  Referred to Committee on Energy & Utilities.Requesting broadcast media advertising volume laws.

     TO THE HONORABLE GEORGE BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, AND TO THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION:

     We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

     WHEREAS, The broadcast media, especially television, have become an indispensable part of our daily lives, contributing information, education, and entertainment in a way that adds fulfillment to individuals and society as a whole; and

     WHEREAS, Federal deregulation of the broadcast media has generally served the nation well, allowing for a proliferation of stations and a broad variety of programming; and

     WHEREAS, Broadcast media advertising is an absolutely essential element to the continued prosperity of the broadcast media; and

     WHEREAS, Broadcast media advertising is a significant element of the nation's economy, an indispensable element in the market economy, and a key form of free expression; and

     WHEREAS, Broadcast media advertising frequently makes a significant contribution in itself as a form of entertainment; and

     WHEREAS, It is crucial to maintain broadcast media advertising as a major component of the broadcast media; and

     WHEREAS, Many citizens have noticed cases of greatly increased volume levels when broadcast media advertising is featured between segments of regularly scheduled programming; and

     WHEREAS, This increase in volume is a threat to the enjoyment and educational value of the broadcast media; and

     WHEREAS, This increase in volume tends to impact society's perception of broadcast media advertising in a negative manner; and

     WHEREAS, Repeated exposure to enhanced volume levels of broadcast media advertising is a potential threat to the precious sense of hearing;

     NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the Federal Communications Commission adequately enforce existing laws relating to the volume levels of broadcast media advertising and that Congress enact and fund additional legislation to reduce the abuses in volume levels of broadcast media advertising.

     BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable George Bush, President of the United States, the Federal Communications Commission, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.