Subcommittee Blasts Waxman Efforts to Derail 'Success of Abstinence Education'

CHICAGO, Oct. 31, 2006 -- The office of Rep. Mark Souder, Chairman of Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources has released a 34 page report discrediting the anti-abstinence assertions made by long time abstinence opponent, Rep. Henry Waxman. "By providing a detailed and well documented analysis of the assertions made in the Waxman Report, the Souder Report exposes the misinformation, biased exaggerations and ideologically driven agenda of the contraceptive sex education lobby," said Mary Anne Mosack of the Abstinence & Marriage Education Partnership. The report strongly states that, "Any objective standard of review should dismiss the Waxman Report as a failed attempt to discredit the success of abstinence education."

The Souder Report affirms the overwhelming advantage of abstinence education for America's youth, and highlights the positive research trends demonstrated by abstinence education programs across the country. Between 1988 and 2002 for example, rates of teen sexual activity have fallen sharply from 50% to 31% for teen boys ages 15-17, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

The Souder Report also exposes the distorted charges by Waxman against the most successful abstinence curricula. Scott Phelps of the Abstinence & Marriage Education Partnership is author of the new Aspire curriculum and coauthor of two curricula named in the study. Phelps found vindication in the Souder report, saying: "Mr. Souder is to be commended for exposing the lies of the Waxman report and setting the record straight. During the past decade, the quality and quantity of abstinence programs has increased sharply and we're seeing these programs make a real difference in the lives of America's youth."

The Abstinence & Marriage Education Partnership is a non-profit organization which exists to ensure that every teenager in the country has the opportunity to hear a clearly reasoned, positive presentation on the benefits of abstinence-until-marriage and practical information on preparing for a healthy, future marriage. A&M Partnership currently provides training and resources for schools and organizations in over twenty states.

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