Rep. Stahl offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 214.
A resolution to memorialize the United States Congress to extend the Title V abstinence education program through fiscal year 2013.
Whereas, Teenage sexual activity is a major problem confronting the nation. Sexually active teens are at risk of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, including those that have no cure and last a lifetime. Studies have shown that youth who engage in sexual activity are at greater risk of emotional and psychological injuries and have higher rates of depression and teen suicide; and
Whereas, Teens who engage in sexual activity are making an extremely important decision that can impact their entire life, and they are making it without the benefit of knowledge and information. Teens need to be educated about the risks of sexual activity and the benefits of abstinence. Recently, high school students highlighted the benefits of sexual abstinence by publishing a brochure. Benefits include freedom from the stress of sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancies outside of marriage, the strength to wait for a lasting relationship, and the freedom to better their lives; and
Whereas, In 1996, Congress authorized funding for state programs that teach abstinence from sexual activity outside of marriage as the expected standard for school-age children. The enactment of Title V, Section 510 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 significantly increased the funding and prominence of abstinence education as an approach to promote sexual abstinence and healthy teen behavior. Programs receiving these funds may not endorse or promote contraceptive use; and
Whereas, Since the passage of PRWORA, the percentage of teens reporting premarital sex has decreased, continuing a decline that started in 1991. According to a report released by the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics, 47 percent of high school students, or 6.7 million, reported having had sexual intercourse in 2005, compared with 54 percent in 1991. Clearly, we must continue to fund abstinence education programs to reduce the numbers of teens engaging in sexual activity and give youth the best chance to be healthy and happy and live their lives to the fullest; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the United States Congress to extend the Title V abstinence education program through 2013 in the manner authorized for fiscal year 2006; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.