[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 10688]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        INTRODUCING THE TEEN PARENTS GRADUATION AND COLLEGE ACT

  (Ms. CHU asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. CHU. The author Robin Cook wrote that ``education is more than a 
luxury. It is a responsibility that society owes to itself.'' Our 
country far too often neglects this duty. Every year, nearly 750,000 
American teens become pregnant. Every year, 70 percent of these new 
teen mothers drop out of school. Every year, the lack of services to 
keep low-income parents in school focuses this problem on our Nation's 
most underprivileged communities.
  That's why I have introduced the Teen Parents Graduation and College 
Act. This bill would fund grants to help teen parents finish high 
school and college. It would provide tutoring and child care and 
counseling to help them succeed. It would let teen parents and their 
children lead better, fuller lives. This basic support is the least we 
owe our young people. Together we will ensure that the beginning of a 
new life doesn't mark the end of an education.

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