[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 61 (Tuesday, April 17, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4616-S4617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mr. Baucus, and Ms. Cantwell):
  S. 1137. A bill authorize grants to carry out projects to provide 
education on preventing teen pregnancies, and for other purposes; to 
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, today I am introducing the Teen 
Pregnancy Prevention Responsibility and Opportunity Act, legislation 
that creates a comprehensive approach to fighting teen pregnancy and 
giving young people the support they need to make informed decisions.
  The results of a 1997 congressionally-ordered study were released 
this month. The 6-year study found that youth who participate in 
abstinence education programs are no more or less likely to engage in 
sex than those who do not participate in abstinence education programs. 
Both groups are reported to have similar numbers of sexual partners, 
and to have sex for the first time at about the same age; around 15 
years old. This proves that abstinence-only education isn't working.
  But rather than invest in proven programs, the Bush administration 
continues to insist on a narrow-minded, misguided approach of 
abstinence-only education. As this study demonstrates, abstinence-only 
just doesn't cut it. The United States continues to have the highest 
teen-pregnancy rate and teen birth rate in the western industrialized 
world. In a human context, this impacts one-third of all teenage girls. 
In a fiscal context, these unintended pregnancies cost the United 
States at least $9 billion annually despite Federal appropriations of 
about $176 million a

[[Page S4617]]

year towards promoting abstinence until marriage.
  American taxpayers deserve a better rate of return on their 
investment. American youth deserve quality education, positive role 
models, effective after school programs, employment opportunities, and 
medically and scientifically accurate family life education. The time 
is now for a new direction in sex education.
  Adolescents need to know we care. They need to know we care as 
parents, as educators, as business people, as politicians, and as 
healthcare providers. They need to know we want them to become 
successful contributing members of society, but for that to happen we 
must commit to and invest in them. We need to be opening doors for 
these young people, and that is just what my Teen Pregnancy Prevention, 
Responsibility and Opportunity Act will do.
  The Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Responsibility and Opportunity Act 
will establish a comprehensive program for reducing adolescent 
pregnancy through education and information programs, as well as 
positive activities and role models both in school and out of school.
  While we have done a good job of progressively decreasing teen 
pregnancy, we can do better. With the sons of teen mothers more likely 
to end up in prison, and the daughters of teen mothers more likely to 
end up teen mothers themselves, we must act now to break this 
problematic cycle.
  The time is now to make a real difference in the lives of our youth, 
and to give them the support they need to grow and lead positive lives.
  Our schools, community and faith-based organizations need access to 
funds to teach age-appropriate, factually and medically accurate, and 
scientifically-based family life education.
  We need programs that encourage teens to delay sexual activity.
  We need to provide services and interventions for sexually active 
teens.
  We need to educate both young men and women about the 
responsibilities and pressures that come along with parenting.
  We need to help parents communicate with teens about sexuality.
  We need to teach young people responsible decision-making.
  And, we need to fund after school programs that will enrich their 
education, and offer character and counseling services.
  We know that after school programs reduce risky adolescent behavior 
by involving teens in positive activities that also provide positive 
life skills. Teenage girls who play sports, for instance, are more 
likely to wait to become sexually active, and to have fewer partners. 
They are consequently less likely to become pregnant.
  Let us join together to recommit ourselves to continuing to decrease 
the incidence of teen pregnancy, and recommit ourselves to offering 
family life education and positive after school programs that will 
foster responsible young adults.
  The time is now to invest in our teens. We cannot afford to let doors 
close on them. Instead we must continue to open the door of 
opportunity. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
important legislation.

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