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Abstinence testimony to congress NEWS
RELEASE
For Immediate Release
May 22, 2007
Contact: Brittany Wilson
Phone: Office, 605-335-3643 or After Hours, 605-359-2158
Abstinence Advocates Educate Congress
Hundreds of abstinence education advocates, most of who are still in
high school, gathered on Capitol Hill today to educate Congress
about the widespread support for abstinence education.
"I was really encouraged by the passion with which these kids
told their stories," said Dena Espenscheid, education programs
director for the Abstinence Clearinghouse. "These kids are
channeling their passion in a positive way by promoting abstinence
education."
One girl from Florida told a staffer of how she was the sexually
active kid that was making all the wrong choices. She thought that
sex was the only way to show love and affection. Then, as a
sophomore, she received abstinence education. The educators taught
her that she did have a choice, and that love did not equal sex. The
relationship education, abstinence information, and support she
received from the program not only led her to become a secondary
virgin, committed to saving sex until marriage, but she now works
for the program, speaking in an alternative high school, helping
other girls choose secondary virginity.
Another teen talked about how abstinence education is helping him
break the cycle. Neither his parents nor his grandparents ever
married. This fall, because an abstinence educator taught him that
he deserved better, he will be the first in his family to attend
college. He is proud to say he is a virgin, and credits his
abstinence education with his success.
When asked what they wanted to tell Congress, the teens said:
“I want to show members of Congress that there is a reason we
stand for abstinence and that it is needed in schools.” - Megan
Phelps, 15, A&M Partnership, Chicago, IL
“I want to let Congress know why abstinence is the best choice to
live your life. Abstinence allows you to pursue your future goals
without the risk of unwed pregnancies or the worry of STDs.” -
Hailey Hutchison, 18, Pure & Simple, Wichita, KS
“People my age tell me they don’t know what abstinence is about
because their parents don’t tell them. Some members of Congress
don’t even know what abstinence education is about. We are here to
educate them.” - Anthony Madrigal, 13, J.A.M., Toledo, OH
“Abstinence education programs teach me that it’s OK not to do
what everybody else is doing. That even though it seems cool to do
what everybody else is doing, it’s not cool to get an STD.” -
Asia Martin, 13, Project Reality, Washington, DC
“With strength in numbers like this, we can achieve a higher
potential for abstinence education.” - Carley Genrich, 17, Boone
County Health Department, Belvidere, IL
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