[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 21, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H3152-H3153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           TEENAGE PREGNANCY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Watts of Oklahoma). Under a previous 
order of the House, the gentlewoman from Texas [Ms. Granger] is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, it has been said that every journey, no 
matter how long or how short, begins with a single step. This week 
Congress chose to take a first step on the journey towards a future of 
reason and responsibility. Earlier this week, in a truly historic vote, 
Congress passed the first balanced budget in over 25 years. With this 
balanced budget Congress made a decision that will truly make a 
difference.
  Balancing the budget is just the first step on a journey to the 
future. If we

[[Page H3153]]

are to ensure that the American dream is a reality for all our people, 
we must do more than just reform government.

                              {time}  1745

  We must strengthen our families and heal our communities. We must 
acknowledge once again that we as a Nation can never move forward until 
we help those who have been left behind.
  I would like to talk today about one of the most important issues 
that face our families and our communities, the problem of teenage out-
of-wedlock births. Unless we address this problem America cannot move 
ahead, and I am asking this Congress to commit to addressing the 
problem of teenage out-of-wedlock pregnancies to strengthen our 
families and to save our daughters.
  Teenage pregnancy is all of our problem. Teenage pregnancy is a 
family problem. Out-of-wedlock births represented 31 percent of all 
births in 1993 and, while there was some good news last year, the 
silver lining cannot hide the cloud of rising teenage pregnancy and 
those out-of-wedlock births.
  Teenage pregnancy is also a health problem. America's high rate of 
out-of-wedlock births is the primary explanation of our low 
international standing on measures of infant mortality. It is also an 
economic problem. The average difference in annual salaries between 
adults in the early 1930's raising intact families and those raising 
broken families is $11,500 a year.
  It is also a crime problem. More than 70 percent of all juveniles in 
State reform institutions were raised in fatherless homes. Babies 
having babies is an American problem. It affects our daughters and our 
sisters and our neighbors and our friends. It is a problem we will have 
to work together to solve.
  Solving the problem of teenage pregnancy will require a lot more than 
Government programs or Washington spending. No, that is not the answer. 
Instead, it is going to require Americans to put their heads together 
and open our hearts and talk to girls and talk to young women.
  I would like to take a moment to tell my colleagues about what does 
work in combating teen pregnancy. I would like to tell them about the 
AIM program in Ft. Worth, TX. AIM stands for ambition, ideals, 
motivation. It is a very successful pregnancy prevention program.
  AIM has taken in almost 800 teenage girls, girls whose mothers were 
teenage mothers, girls whose families were on welfare, girls raised in 
public housing, girls who statistically would have a 70 percent chance 
of becoming teenage moms. But miraculously, only 2 of these almost 800 
girls have become pregnant.
  To help you understand the success of this program, I would like to 
tell you the story of Michelle. Michelle is a 21-year-old woman from 
Ft. Worth. Michelle's pregnancy-free adolescence is more than just a 
story of a woman who beat the odds. Michelle's story is a living legacy 
for all who care about America's daughters.
  Michelle was raised in public housing. Her parents were the poorest 
of the poor, and no one in her family had ever graduated from high 
school. When Michelle was in the eighth grade she was invited to 
participate in AIM. AIM selected Michelle because she was deemed at 
risk for teenage pregnancy, one of those 70 percent probabilities.
  While the odds were against Michelle, AIM is not intimidated by long 
odds. Michelle and all AIM participants are invited to weekly group 
meetings, field trips, camp outings. She found mentors who offered 
advice and also friendship.
  Michelle was encouraged to remain abstinent during her teenage years. 
I am very proud to say that 4 years later not only is Michelle not 
pregnant, she is on her way to college. Michelle has earned a full 
scholarship to a small 4-year college in Texas. Michelle is now 21, a 
successful nurse's aid. She does not live in public housing. She does 
not take food stamps, and she is not pregnant.
  Michelle is a success story, and she and AIM beat the odds. We need 
more success stories like Michelle. We can have more success stories 
through AIM.
  Today I commend Michelle and I commend AIM, and I recommend it to all 
people all over America because theirs is a story of hope and 
inspiration and character and courage.
  As we work over the coming months, all of us, to solve the problem of 
teen pregnancy, we will visit with more women like Michelle and more 
programs like AIM.
  I commend our Speaker for recognizing the need to address the issue 
of teen out-of-wedlock births, and I look forward to helping us work to 
strengthen families and save our daughters.

                          ____________________