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TO DECLARE THE MONTH OF MAY 2017 AS "TEEN PREGNANCY PREVENTION MONTH" THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND TO ENCOURAGE ALL SOUTH CAROLINIANS TO WORK TOGETHER TO REDUCE AND PREVENT TEEN PREGNANCY FOR THE FUTURE SUCCESS OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.
Whereas, teen pregnancies have far-reaching consequences that adversely affect the health, education, and economic future of our young people; and
Whereas, each year in the United States, seven hundred fifty thousand teens experience pregnancy, with four hundred thousand giving birth; and
Whereas, of sexually active teens, thirty-nine percent do not use adequate birth control, and only twenty-three percent report using hormonal birth control; and
Whereas, teens who experience pregnancy are less likely to finish high school or enter college and are more like to experience poverty throughout their lives; and
Whereas, since the early 90s, South Carolina has made great strides in reducing teen pregnancy, with the teen birth rate falling by sixty-one percent, a remarkable decline. A substantial decrease occurred between 2013 and 2014 when the teen birth rate for fifteen to nineteen year olds declined by ten percent, the lowest point in recorded history; and
Whereas, however, in spite of these impressive reductions, South Carolina still has the thirteenth highest teen birth rate in the nation. In 2014, 4,297 teens gave birth in our State; and
Whereas, Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month is an opportunity for parents, teens, educators, program providers, faith-based organizations, local elected leaders, and state policymakers to join together to work to decrease teen pregnancy in South Carolina. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the Senate, by this resolution, declare the month of May 2017 as "Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month" throughout the State and encourage all South Carolinians to work together to reduce and prevent teen pregnancy for the future success of our young people.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dreams with Open Arms, Inc.
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