[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 60 (Thursday, April 29, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E821]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      INTRODUCTION OF THE TEENAGE PREGNANCY REDUCTION ACT OF 1999

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 29, 1999

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of 
the Teenage Pregnancy Reduction Act of 1999. 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 
three years 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 three years 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 teenage 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 become unwed teen parents, and for the children born to them.
  The 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 more likely 
to be low-birth weight babies of less than five and a half pounds--
meaning an increased likelihood of infant death, mental retardation or 
illness, dyslexia, hyperactivity, among others.
  How 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 Committee to the 
National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, which I co-chair with 
Congresswoman Lowey, will play an active role in this discussion.
  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.

                          ____________________