[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 325 Introduced in House (IH)]







106th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 325

      Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the need to more 
appropriately address the health and well-being of Hispanic adolescent 
 girls and endorsing the findings and recommendations of the National 
Coalition of Hispanic Health and Human Services Organizations (COSSMHO) 
        now known as the National Alliance for Hispanic Health.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 11, 2000

  Mrs. Napolitano (for herself, Mr. Green of Texas, Mr. Serrano, Mr. 
 Rodriguez, Mr. Hinojosa, Mr. Gonzalez, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Mr. Pastor, 
  Mr. Hill of Indiana, Mr. Larson, Ms. DeLauro, Mr. Blagojevich, Ms. 
Berkley, Ms. Millender-McDonald, Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas, Mr. Crowley, 
Mr. Moore, Mrs. Jones of Ohio, Mr. Baird, Mr. Baca, Mr. Gutierrez, Mr. 
   Ortiz, Mr. Reyes, Mr. Abercrombie, Mr. Martinez, Ms. Carson, Ms. 
    Velazquez, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Becerra, Mr. Underwood, Mr. Romero-
Barcelo, Ms. Sanchez, Ms. Waters, Mr. Horn, Mr. Calvert, Mrs. Bono, Mr. 
    Bilbray, Mr. Filner, Mr. Berman, and Mr. Dreier) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                                Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
      Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the need to more 
appropriately address the health and well-being of Hispanic adolescent 
 girls and endorsing the findings and recommendations of the National 
Coalition of Hispanic Health and Human Services Organizations (COSSMHO) 
        now known as the National Alliance for Hispanic Health.

Whereas Hispanic adolescent girls (Latinas) now represent the largest minority 
        group of girls in the country and are expected to remain so for the next 
        fifty years;
Whereas the four most serious threats to the health and education of American 
        girls today are depression, substance abuse, pregnancy, and delinquency;
Whereas recent data from the ``State of Hispanic Girls'' by the National 
        Alliance for Hispanic Health indicate that these four threats are more 
        prevalent among Hispanic girls than their non-Hispanic counterparts;
Whereas the report also shows that a significant minority of Hispanic girls also 
        lead girls nationwide in rates of suicide attempts, teenage pregnancy, 
        alcohol and drug abuse and self-reported gun possession;
Whereas much more can be done by community based organizations in tandem with 
        the local school system, law enforcement, social service agencies, 
        including mental health clinics, to address these issues and provide the 
        support needed by Hispanic adolescent girls and their families to 
        reverse these trends;
Whereas many of these girls are adversely affected by cultural expectations, the 
        pressures of acculturation and the lack of self-esteem and are unable to 
        find appropriate support services by trained bilingual, bicultural 
        professionals to deal with the identified major threats to their health 
        and well-being;
Whereas data also indicate that Hispanic girls have higher dropout rates than 
        any other racial or ethnic group of girls, in part due to their high 
        rate of teen pregnancy;
Whereas the report also notes another alarming finding: that fewer prevention 
        and treatment services reach these girls than reach girls in any other 
        racial or ethnic group; and
Whereas the Congress is the appropriate governmental institution to develop a 
        national agenda in tandem with the states to address these concerns and 
        provide both the funds and leadership necessary to implement innovative 
        and constructive programs to address the crisis for Hispanic adolescent 
        girls and allow these girls to become self-confident, successful women 
        and contributing members of society: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of the Congress that--
            (1) the recommendations contained in the report ``The State 
        of Hispanic Girls'' be endorsed and implemented to address the 
        crisis facing Hispanic adolescent girls as it relates to their 
        physical and mental health needs;
            (2) more resources be provided through Federal grants and 
        other mechanisms to community-based partnerships and innovative 
        programs designed to promote the health and well-being of 
        Hispanic adolescent girls at risk;
            (3) programs and services addressing the needs of Hispanic 
        adolescent girls be given in a way that is culturally, 
        linguistically and developmentally appropriate;
            (4) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
        Administration (SAMHSA), the National Alliance for Hispanic 
        Health and other public and private entities that have worked 
        diligently and cooperatively to address the needs of Hispanic 
        adolescent girls be commended for their efforts and leadership 
        and encouraged to continue so that more of these girls reach 
        their true potential;
            (5) Federal, State and local agencies in addressing the 
        needs of Hispanic adolescent girls be encouraged to form 
        innovative partnerships with community based organizations, 
        schools and law enforcement to help ensure that resources are 
        allocated in a way to ensure their most efficient and effective 
        use in the community; and
            (6) in providing services to adolescent girls at risk, 
        family involvement and support must be considered fundamental.
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