FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
July 17, 2007
Contact: John Rankin
 

ALEXANDRIA, VA – In a move rich with irony, Mitt Romney's presidential campaign released a new television advertisement decrying "the culture that surrounds our kids today," despite the fact that Romney served on the board of Marriott International, which generated tens of millions of dollars in revenue through in-room pornography services at its hotels.

In stark contrast with Romney's role at Marriott, which brought him over $100,000 per year, Senator Sam Brownback lead the fight against indecency and asked the hotel chain to stop offering pornography in its rooms.

In a 2004 letter to J.W. Marriott, Jr., the chairman and CEO of Marriott International, Brownback wrote:

"I am concerned, however, by a recent CBS report which cites the fact that in-room pornography generates approximately half of total hotel pay-per-view revenue in the United States, approximately $250 million annually. ... Businesspeople and families should not be exposed to a pornography-friendly environment when they seek rest and relaxation at hotels while traveling away from home, nor should they be victims of suggestive advertising for porn while browsing a pay-per-view menu. I write to ask that you consider ending Marriott's complicity in this assault on individuals, families, and society. ... The children and families of America thank you."

Pro-family leader Phil Burress, founder of Citizens for Community Values, commented on Romney's role:

"Mitt Romney apparently turned a blind-eye to the obscene, hard-core pornography offered in Marriott hotels. Instead, Romney and Marriott International chose to earn millions of dollars with such a morally objectionable business practice. For those who want a proven, consistent, pro-family leader in the White House, Mitt Romney is an unacceptable choice."

Senator Brownback has been a leader on decency and media issues. In 2006, when President Bush signed into law a tenfold increase in broadcast indecency fines, it was Senator Brownback's bill that made it to the president's desk. In 2005, he chaired hearings to examine pornography's impact on marriage, families and children and also to strengthen the government's ability to prosecute pornographers. Despite facing intense industry opposition, Brownback has worked to strengthen video game ratings standards and to study the impact of media on childhood development.

Burress continued:

"Sam Brownback was a leader on pro-life, pro-family issues long before he decided he was running for president. I have worked with him on the issue of pornography and there is no question that a President Brownback would appoint an Attorney General who would make sure federal obscenity laws were enforced. If you want a safer internet and prosecution of hard-core pornographers, Sam is your man."