Resounding success as students make case for abstinence programs on Capitol Hill
Washington, DC (March 13, 2009) — Almost 500 students from across America brought the passionate persuasion of their stories to Congressional Offices this week in the hopes that policy makers will vote to continue abstinence programs that have made a difference in their lives.
"If it wasn’t for the abstinence program, I wouldn’t have finished my education and be standing before you as the first college student in my family” stated Karla Jasquez, a graduate of the Choosing To Excel Program in Conway, Arkansas.
Members of Congress and their staff heard the real-life effects that abstinence education programs are having on students. It helped them reconsider the misinformation that they have heard about the program and several indicated that they are now rethinking their position on the issue as a result.
“Hearing the compelling stories of how these programs have affected teens should have a positive impact on public policy decisions,” stated Valerie Huber, Executive Director of the National Abstinence Education Association.
Huber further added: “It is important to note that many students who attended this event were inspired by the recent election of President Obama and are counting on him to help maintain these programs in their schools and communities”
This event, sponsored by the National Abstinence Education Association, was the largest ever to educate lawmakers on the real nature of abstinence education.
