Former Senator Chris Dodd, now chief executive of the Motion Picture Association of America.(Photo: YONHAP EPA)
Chris Dodd, the chairman of the Motion Picture Association of
America, has addressed the Newtown, Conn., shootings for the first time,
saying Hollywood is ready to be part of the "national conversation."
"Those
of us in the motion picture and television industry want to do our part
to help America heal," Dodd said in a statement released Thursday. "We
stand ready to be part of the national conversation."
Dodd did not specify in the statement how this participation would take place.
The former Democratic Senator from Connecticut said he was "shocked and profoundly saddened by this tragedy."
"My
heart goes out to the community as I know they will carry this pain
with them long after the spotlight on Newtown has dimmed," he said in
the statement.
He added that he had been in touch with President Obama.
"I
have reached out to the Administration to express our support for the
President's efforts in the wake of the Newtown tragedy," Dodd said.
Following
the tragic shooting last week, the Hollywood community has taken
several initial steps with some of the more violent films hitting the
marketplace. The premiere for Tom Cruise's Jack Reacher was "postponed" and the premiere for Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained was canceled.
USA Today