NEWS
	Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554	News media information 202 / 418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 202/418-2555
	This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 9, 1999 NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: MORGAN BROMAN (202) 418-0256
	STATEMENT FROM FCC CHAIRMAN WILLIAM E. KENNARD ON THE NEW KERMIT THE FROG V-CHIP PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
	Washington, D.C. I am pleased Kermit the Frog is joining our effort to let parents know that the V-Chip is now here. Kermit who is famous for singing "it's not easy being green" also knows that it's not easy being a parent these days. That's why we need to help parents child-proof their homes for the Information Age. As the first celebrity to star in a public service announcement (PSA) on the V-Chip, Kermit will help to publicize the arrival of TV sets equipped with this device. The V-Chip in conjunction with the TV ratings system will empower parents with one of the tools that they can use to help them manage this communications revolution. Parents need to have information on how to use the V-Chip to protect their kids from violent or sexually explicit programming. I also want to thank the Odyssey Network, A Hallmark & Henson Network and The Jim Henson Company for creating this PSA that will reach more than 30-million American homes. I hope others follow Kermit's lead. This PSA compliments the efforts of the FCC V-Chip Task Force, chaired by FCC Commissioner Gloria Tristani. The goal of the Task Force is to insure that the V-Chip is readily available and working. By working with industry, entertainment producers, parents, consumer groups… and Kermit, we will give our children the childhood they deserve.