[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 116 (Thursday, August 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1455-E1456]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      INTRODUCTION OF THE TEENAGE PREGNANCY REDUCTION ACT OF 1996

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 1, 1996

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of 
the Teenage Pregnancy Reduction Act of 1996. This legislation is an 
important commitment on the part of Congress to give local communities 
the resources they need to operate effective teenage pregnancy 
programs.
  More specifically, the bill authorizes $10.5 million in total over 3 
years--fiscal year 1997 thru fiscal year 1999--for HHS to conduct a 
study of effective teen pregnancy prevention programs, with an emphasis 
on determining the factors contributing to the effectiveness of the 
programs, and methods for replicating the programs in other locations.
  It also authorizes the creation of an information clearinghouse to 
collect, maintain, and disseminate information on prevention programs; 
to develop networks of prevention programs; to provide technical 
assistance and to encourage public media campaigns regarding pregnancy 
in teenagers.
  Finally, it authorizes $10 million in total over 3 years--fiscal year 
2000 thru fiscal year 2003--for one-time incentive grants for programs 
which are found to be effective under HHS's study described earlier, to 
assist them with the expenses of operating the program.
  Helping our communities prevent teenage pregnancy is an important 
mission. The United States has the highest teenage birth rate of 
industrialized countries, which has far reaching consequences for our 
Nation's teenager mothers and their children.
  Unmarried teenagers who become pregnant face severe emotional, 
physical, and financial difficulties. The children born to unmarried 
teenagers will struggle to fulfill the promise given to all human life, 
and many of them simply will not succeed. Many of them will remain 
trapped in a cycle of poverty, and unfortunately may become part of our 
criminal justice system.
  How bad is the problem? In 1960, 15 percent of teen births were out 
of wedlock. In 1970, 30 percent of teen births were out of wedlock. In 
1980, 48 percent of teen births were out of wedlock. In 1990, 68 
percent of teen births were out of wedlock. In 1993, 72 percent of all 
teen births were out of wedlock.
  Why do we care about this? For the simple reason that beyond the 
statistics, this trend has devastating consequences for the young women 
who became unwed teen parents, and for the children born to them.
  A recently released report, Kids Having Kids, by the Robin Hood 
Foundation quantified some of these consequences. Compared to those who 
delay childbearing until they are 20 or 21, adolescent mothers: Spend 
57 percent more time as single parents in their first 13 years; are 50 
percent more likely to depend on welfare; are 50 percent less likely to 
complete high school; and are 24 percent more likely to have more 
children.
  Children of adolescents--compared to children of 20 and 21 year 
olds--are more likely to be born prematurely and 50 percent likely to 
be low-birth weight babies or less than 5\1/2\ pounds--meaning an 
increased likelihood of infant death, mental retardation, or illness, 
dyslexia, hyperactivity, among others.
  However can we make a difference? By working in partnership with 
communities. At the national level, we need to take a clear stand 
against teenage pregnancy and foster a national discussion--involving 
national leaders, respected organizations, the media, and States about 
how religion, culture, and public values influence both teen pregnancy 
and responses to it. The Congressional Advisory

[[Page E1456]]

Committee to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, which 
consists of 24 committed Members of the House and which I co-chair with 
Congresswoman Lowey, will pay an active role in this discussion. I will 
include for the record a list of the Members of the congressional 
committee.
  Members of the Congressional Advisory Panel to the National Campaign 
To Reduce Teenage Pregnancy are: Thomas M. Barrett, Michael N. Castle, 
Co-Chair; Eva M. Clayton, Vice Chair; Richard J. Durbin, James C. 
Greenwood, W.G. Hefner, Stephen Horn, Sheila Jackson-Lee, Nancy L. 
Johnson, Vice Chair; Jim Kolbe, James A. Leach, John Lewis, Nita M. 
Lowey, Co-chair; Susan Molinari, James P. Moran, Constance A. Morella, 
John Edward Porter, Deborah Pryce, Tim Roemer, Peter G. Torkildsen, 
Lucille Roybal-Allard, Christopher Shays, Karen L. Thurman, and 
Edolphus Towns.
  At the local level, communities need to develop programs targeted to 
the characteristics, needs, and values of its families. Communities 
know what their needs are and what will be most effective with their 
teenagers, so it is critical that they design and implement the 
programs, not the federal government. This legislation will assist 
efforts of communities, and I hope that my colleagues will join me as a 
cosponsor.
  Our goal to reduce teen pregnancy is challenging and difficult. But 
if we work together we can make a difference.

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