[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 34 (Wednesday, March 13, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E340]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT TEENAGE PREGNANCY

                                 ______


                             HON. ED PASTOR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 13, 1996

  Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
call to your attention a bipartisan effort to prevent teenage 
pregnancy. The National Campaign to Prevent Teenage Pregnancy proposes 
to garner support from State and local governments, as well as the 
media to encourage activities that would ``reduce teenage pregnancy by 
supporting values and stimulating actions that are consistent with a 
pregnancy free adolescence.''
  The ever-increasing number of teenage mothers poses economic and 
moral dilemmas for the Nation. Out-of-wedlock births to American 
teenagers rose 150 percent between 1970 and 1990. Of these pregnancies 
82 percent were unintended. This rise in unintended pregnancies has the 
potential to negatively impact the economic future of the United 
States. It is therefore imperative that we work together to decrease 
the number of teenage pregnancies before they reach epidemic 
proportions.
  As it stands, nearly half of teen mothers are on AFDC within 5 years 
of the birth of their first child. It has been estimated that 53 
percent of AFDC benefits go to families that began as a result of a 
teenage pregnancy. The effect on the children born to these young girls 
is devastating. Eighty percent of these children live in poverty, as 
opposed to 8 percent of children born to women over the age of 20.
  The National Campaign to Prevent Teenage Pregnancy proposes to use 
national and community based organizations--including religious 
organizations--to encourage concerted efforts to educate ourselves on 
teenage pregnancy. By involving State and local organizations, we 
ensure that each community develops a program that reflects its 
particular set of values.
  The success of this initiative would not only lighten the burden on 
the Federal Government, but also allow for a brighter future for 
millions of our Nation's youth.

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