[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 136 (Wednesday, October 16, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S10568]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    WORLD POPULATION AWARENESS WEEK

  Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. President, Governor Mike Easley of my State 
of North Carolina has issued a proclamation designating the week of 
October 20-26, 2002 as ``World Population Awareness Week.'' This 
proclamation highlights the need to better understand the environmental 
and social consequences of rapid population growth, particularly those 
issues surrounding the education and health of youth and adolescents 
around the world. I join Governor Easley in his recognition of World 
Population Awareness Week, and I ask unanimous consent to have his 
proclamation printed in the Record
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                             A Proclamation

       Whereas, more than one billion people--one sixth of the 
     world's population--are between the ages of 15 and 24, the 
     largest generation ever in this age bracket; and
       Whereas, nearly half the world's population, and 63% in the 
     least developed countries, is under age 25; and
       Whereas, 17 million young women between the ages of 15 and 
     19 gave birth every year, including about 13 million who live 
     in less developed countries; and
       Whereas, early pregnancy and childbearing are associated 
     with serious health risks, less education, and lower future 
     income potential; and
       Whereas, the risks of dying from complications of pregnancy 
     or childbirth are 25 times higher for girls under 15, and two 
     times higher for women between the ages of 15 and 19; and
       Whereas, approximately half of the 5 million people 
     infected with HIV last year were young people between the 
     ages of 15 and 24; and
       Whereas, almost 12 million young people now live with HIV, 
     and about 6,000 more become infected every day; and
       Whereas, the choices young people make today regarding 
     their sexual and reproductive lives, including responsible 
     male behavior, will determine whether world population 
     stabilizes at 8 billion or less or 9 billion or more; and
       Whereas, the theme of World Population Awareness Week in 
     2002 is ``Population and the Next Generation'';
       Now, therefore, I, Michael F. Easley, Governor of the State 
     of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim October 20-26, 2002, as 
     ``World Population Awareness Week'' in North Carolina, and 
     commend this observance to all our citizens.

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