[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 6] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 8001-8002] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]INTRODUCTION OF THE TEENAGE PREGNANCY REDUCTION ACT OF 1999 ______ HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE of delaware in the house of representatives Thursday, April 29, 1999 Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of the Teenage Pregnancy Reduction Act of 1999. This legislation is an important commitment on the part of Congress to give local communities the resources they need to operate effective teenage pregnancy programs. More specifically, the bill authorizes $10.5 million in total over three years for HHS to conduct a study of effective teen pregnancy prevention programs, with an emphasis on determining the factors contributing to the effectiveness of the programs, and methods for replicating the programs in other locations. It also authorizes the creation of an information clearinghouse to collect, maintain, and disseminate information on prevention programs; to develop networks of prevention programs; to provide technical assistance and to encourage public media campaigns regarding pregnancy in teenagers. Finally, it authorizes $10 million in total over three years for one- time incentive grants for programs which are found to be effective under HHS's study described earlier, to assist them with the expenses of operating the program. Helping our communities prevent teenage pregnancy is an important mission. The United States has the highest teenage birth rate of industrialized countries, which has far reaching consequences for our Nation's teenage mothers and their children. Unmarried teenagers who become pregnant face severe emotional, physical, and financial [[Page 8002]] difficulties. The children born to unmarried teenagers will struggle to fulfill the promise given to all human life, and many of them simply will not succeed. Many of them will remain trapped in a cycle of poverty, and unfortunately may become part of our criminal justice system. How bad is the problem? In 1960, 15 percent of teen births were out- of-wedlock. In 1970, 30 percent of teen births were out-of-wedlock. In 1980, 48 percent of teen births were out-of-wedlock. In 1990, 68 percent of teen births were out-of-wedlock. In 1993, 72 percent of all teen births were out-of-wedlock. Why do we care about this? For the simple reason that beyond the statistics, this trend has devastating consequences for the young women who become unwed teen parents, and for the children born to them. The report, ``Kids Having Kids,'' by the Robin Hood Foundation quantified some of these consequences. Compared to those who delay childbearing until they are 20 or 21, adolescent mothers: spend 57 percent more time as single parents in their first 13 years; are 50 percent more likely to depend on welfare; are 50 percent less likely to complete high school; and are 24 percent more likely to have more children. Children of adolescents (compared to children of 20- and 21-year- olds) are more likely to be born prematurely and 50 percent more likely to be low-birth weight babies of less than five and a half pounds-- meaning an increased likelihood of infant death, mental retardation or illness, dyslexia, hyperactivity, among others. How can we make a difference? By working in partnership with communities. At the national level, we need to take a clear stand against teenage pregnancy and foster a national discussion--involving national leaders, respected organizations, the media, and states about how religion, culture, and public values influence both teen pregnancy and responses to it. The Congressional Advisory Committee to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, which I co-chair with Congresswoman Lowey, will play an active role in this discussion. At the local level, communities need to develop programs targeted to the characteristics, needs, and values of its families. Communities know what their needs are and what will be most effective with their teenagers, so it is critical that they design and implement the programs, not the federal government. This legislation will assist efforts of communities, and I hope that my colleagues will join me as a cosponsor. Our goal to reduce teen pregnancy is challenging and difficult. But if we work together we CAN make a difference. ____________________