>PEER TO PEER: TEEN DATING VIOLENCE PREVENTION

(Senate - July 14, 2006)

   Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, a serious and, at times, deadly form of physical and emotional interpersonal violence is alarmingly pervasive in our Nation today. It transcends race, socio-economic condition, and community size. It is dating violence and it happens every day in teen dating relationships. Like domestic violence to which it is a precursor, teen dating violence is something our society is finally talking about openly. A major driver of this public conversation is visual media, specifically, television.

   I am proud to say that a high school in Eagle, ID on the leading edge of this awareness effort. Organizers of a teen dating violence awareness and prevention summit in Boise reached out to the Eagle High School media department asking for its participation in the summit. Taking up the challenge, media instructor Jim Seaney and his students produced a series of public service announcements, PSA, dealing with the crime of teen dating violence from the perspective of teens.

   I featured one of the five segments on my monthly live townhall meeting, Capitol Watch, and at a national press conference in February kicking off National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week. Well-scripted, professionally produced, and riveting in their directness and simplicity, each PSA confronts the viewer with the tragedy of teen dating violence. The message is clear: teen dating violence exists--and in relationships and places you would never suspect.

���   Without any further acclaim, these productions stand as a tremendous accomplishment. But, I am pleased to say that they were recently selected as the winning entry to the 2005-2006 National Student Television Award for Excellence, Hubbard Family Public Affairs/Community Service/Public Service Category. I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Jim Seaney and his students, Bethany Ross, Cody Bolken, Robert O'Neal, Tommy Sauriol, Sabra Wiitanen, John Adkins, Natalie Volarich, Chase Gronowski, Vianey Conchas, Abby Sauriol, Jeremiah Mitchell, and Jim's daughter Aubree who also acts in one of the segments. I thank them for the time and effort they took to make the crime of teen dating violence something that families, schools, communities and a nation, talk about. These conversations open the door to truth and healing now and healthy, respectful relationships for life.