[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 153 (Thursday, September 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1980]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              ``REAL'' ACT

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                         HON. CHRISTOPHER SHAYS

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 24, 2008

  Mr. SHAYS. Madam Speaker, I believe a comprehensive approach to sex 
education that provides information about abstinence and contraceptives 
helps reduce unwanted pregnancy, abortion, and the contraction of 
sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and AIDS.
  As our kids are learning about their health, and how their behavior 
affects it, it's important they have all the facts. The extraordinary 
number of teen pregnancies and growing rate of STI transmission among 
teens underscores the necessity of comprehensive sexual education. They 
need to be taught about both abstinence and contraception.
  Congress has spent more than $1.5 billion on abstinence-only 
programs, which deny teenagers medically accurate, lifesaving 
information about birth control and STIs. My home State of Connecticut 
is one of 17 States that reject Title V Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage 
Funding, because Connecticut recognizes what many of us already know: 
abstinence-only programs do not work. The way to protect our children 
is not to restrict information vital to their health.
  I am grateful to have partnered with Congresswoman Barbara Lee in 
introducing the Responsible Education About Life, or ``REAL'' Act, a 
bill that would authorize federal funds for States to offer 
comprehensive and medically accurate sex education in their schools. 
This legislation would provide funding for States to offer family life 
education, including education on abstinence and contraception, to 
prevent teenage pregnancy and STIs.
  People all over the country are demanding comprehensive sex education 
to keep our youth healthy and safe. That is why I support organizations 
like Planned Parenthood and other Title X family health providers. 
These organizations sponsor grassroots events all around the country to 
raise awareness about the need for comprehensive sex education and I 
applaud their good work.




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