[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 54 (Thursday, May 4, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S3509]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TEEN PREGNANCY PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH

 Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, teen pregnancy is an alarming 
health, social and economic problem for our country and we must all 
work together to address it. Every year, more than a million girls 
under the age of 20 become pregnant at an estimated cost of $6.9 
billion to American taxpayers. In South Carolina, teen pregnancy is of 
particular concern. Our state has the 10th highest teen pregnancy rate 
in the nation, spending more than a billion dollars a year to cover 
direct and indirect costs for children born to teen mothers. The 
efforts of organizations such as the Greenville Council for the 
Prevention of Teen Pregnancy have made a difference--teen pregnancy in 
Greenville County, SC has decreased 44% since 1988 for girls aged 14-
17. Community awareness and education are the key and I would like 
bring to my colleagues' attention that May has been designated Teen 
Pregnancy Prevention Awareness Month. It is our duty to ensure that 
America's youth have a bright, healthy and secure future.

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