LOS ANGELES (January 21, 2008) — The Parents Television Council™, a non-partisan education organization advocating responsible entertainment, announced Eric Brookens as the Director of the Colorado Springs Chapter.

Brookens has over 40 years of experience as an educator, starting with his experience as a Peace Corps volunteer in Panama.  He also was a traveling school principal with Up With People, followed by public school instruction.  Thirty years of his career was spent with the Colorado Department of Corrections where he had administrative inmate education positions, working with teachers to help prisoners obtain GEDs and vocational certificates.  Currently he is a substitute teacher and tutor in Colorado Springs. 

Along with his volunteer experience with the Peace Corps, he has been active in the community with library board work, Boys Brigade Leader, his church, Little League and YMCA coach, mentor for the Center on Fathering, International Students, Inc., Wheels for the World, and Boy Scout special projects.

Brookens’ interest in representing Colorado Springs as the PTC Chapter Director centers around his concern about much of today’s television programming and the negative impact it is having on children. “Children watch more television than they spend time in school and the negative impact of shows portraying violence, sex, and profanity is taking a toll on our society.  As a substitute teacher, I see an increasing amount of disrespectful behavior in classrooms that I believe, in part, is influenced by television programming,” said Brookens.  

Former longtime Colorado Springs Chapter Director Dave Nesbit strongly supports Brookens. “It is with great confidence that I state that Eric will do an excellent job in his role as chapter director. Eric has a strong conviction in the mission of the PTC and will be a stalwart supporter of the programs and activities of the organization.  His past experiences will provide him with the tools to be successful,” said Nesbit.

The Colorado Springs Chapter will show concerned citizens that they can have an impact on today’s programming through contacting local stations, advertisers, and political representatives.  “I want people to know that we can cleanup TV,” said Brookens.

Tim Winter, president of the PTC said, “The PTC’s success lies in volunteers like Eric.  His experience as a teacher and work with other coalitions gives him a superb foundation on which to build local awareness of the PTC and its issues.  We proudly welcome Eric to the PTC grassroots leadership team and we wish him great success with the chapter.”