This subcommittee report presents a history of congressional action regarding violence on television and then outlines conclusions and recommendations for legislative consideration. Acknowledging that excessive viewing of violence may have harmful effects on children, the report places responsibility for program content on the networks and advocates industry self-regulation as an effective means of limiting televised violence. There are avenues consistent with the First Amendment through which the government and the public can address the problem. However, this study concludes that parents are the most powerful agents in curbing this problem. Three ways are suggested: parents should (1) monitor more closely the viewing habits of their children, (2) participate in a positive and active way in their children's television viewing, and (3) write to local broadcasters and networks to register complaints about offensive programs. Several dissenting and separate views on the issue accompany the report. (MAI)