Whereas, pornography degrades and dehumanizes both female and male participants; and

Whereas, pornography presents youth with a distorted and debased image of human sexuality, devoid of love, commitment, and responsibility; and

Whereas, pornography features anti-social behaviors including adultery, bestiality, incest, child abuse, promiscuity, and the degradation, rape, and torture of women; and

Whereas, pornography leads males and females of all ages into sexual addictions that prevent, harm and tear marriages apart and that contribute to rape and other sexual assaults; and

Whereas, the explosion of obscenity helps create the demands for prostitutes and for women and children trafficked into sexual slavery; and

Whereas, so-called “adult” pornography is used by adult predators both to stimulate themselves and to entice, desensitize and instruct their child victims; and

Whereas, children molest other children in imitation of what they see in pornography; and

Whereas, according to a survey reported in “CyberPsychology & Behavior (12/08)” “Overall, 72% of participants (93.2% of boys, 61.1% of girls) had seen online pornography before age 18...and boys were significantly more likely to view online pornography more often..:

Whereas, according to a survey conducted in 2004 by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, 45% of teens have friends who regularly view Internet pornography; and

Whereas, the Supreme Court has ruled that the First Amendment does not protect obscenity; and that legitimate governmental interests are furthered by enforcing obscenity laws, including the right of the nation and states to maintain a decent society and the protection of morality, public safety, the community environment, and family life; and

Whereas, a poll conducted by Harris Interactive in April 2008 found that 75% of adult Americans said that they would support the next president were he to do all in his or constitutional power to ensure that federal obscenity laws are enforced.

Now Therefore, I, James Liska, Mayor of the City of Three Rivers, Texas, do hereby proclaim October 25, 2009 through November 1, 2009, as White Ribbon against Pornography Week in Three Rivers, Texas and call upon all citizens to wear or display white ribbons as a sign of their commitment to community standards of decency and their support for enforcement of the laws against obscene materials.

Signed

James Liska, Mayor