NALC Letter for Continued Funding of Abstinence Programs
November 21, 2006
Chairman Joe Barton
House Energy and Commerce Committee
2125 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515 |
Chairman Charles Grassley
Senate Finance Committee
219 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
|
Dear Chairman Barton and Chairman Grassley:
As a coalition of professional, educational, medical, health and youth development organizations across the United States, we are writing to inform your committee about the importance of the Title V Abstinence Education program (Section 510(b) of the Social Security Act) which is set to expire on December 31, 2006. The National Abstinence Leadership Council has received indication from over 350 different individuals and organizations that this is a very necessary and important program.
This federal program provides $50 million in formula grants for states to provide abstinence education and also provides the definition that governs all federal spending on abstinence education programs. These programs help teens to make healthy life choices regarding sexual activity, relationship building, positive youth development, character education, drug and alcohol avoidance, life skills and marriage preparation education.
Abstinence education programs teach teens how to protect themselves from abuse by recognizing and rejecting inappropriate sexual pressure and helps teens stay healthy, develop self efficacy, and improve their prospects for future success. This message has been embraced by parents, teachers, and students across the country. These programs help to reduce the need for public assistance by reducing out of wedlock births, and by increasing the number of children who are cared for in safe and stable families.
These abstinence education programs provide a beneficial service in helping communities to promote healthy choices for our nation’s youth. Since initial implementation of these programs in 1996, millions of American youth have learned important lessons about health and character which will impact their lives for years to come as well as providing significant benefits for society. Thank you for your continued support of abstinence education.
Sincerely,
Members of the National Abstinence Leadership Council:
Anne Badgley, M. Ed.
Heritage Community Services | Joneen Mackenzie, RN, BSN
WAIT Training |
Scott Phelps
Abstinence & Marriage Education Partnership | LeAnna Benn
Teen-Aid, Inc. |
Joe McIlhaney, MD
The Medical Institute for Sexual Health | Gary Rose, MD
The Medical Institute for Sexual Health |
Bruce Cook, MBA
Choosing The Best | Mary Anne Mosack
Abstinence & Marriage Education Partnership |
Shepherd Smith
The Institute for Youth Development | |
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