From CNA:
On Wednesday the National Abstinence Education Association (NAEA) is sponsoring Abstinence Day on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. by bringing nearly 500 teens to the U.S. Capitol.
The NAEA reported in a statement that the diverse group of teens will describe the positive benefit that abstinence education has made in their lives and to ask lawmakers and the White House to continue funding such programs. Abstinence Day events include meeting with Congressional Offices, attending a youth-centered workshop and participating in an event designed to encourage peer-to-peer support of abstinence as the best choice.
“This is the ultimate Yes We Can message,” said one teen who registered for the event. “I hope our
voices will be heard.”
Valerie Huber, Executive Director of NAEA, said the teens constituted the organization’s “largest group ever.”
“We knew that this message resonated with teens, but this response has been overwhelming and indicates the strong support abstinence education has among American youth, schools and parents.”
FRC reported:
Nearly 500 students from across the country visited the U.S. Capitol to lobby their legislators on retaining abstinence funding. Many of these students have directly been impacted by abstinence education programs and come from areas that have extremely high teenage pregnancy rates. These eager and enthusiastic teens listened to FRC’s own David Christensen and Valerie Huber, Executive Director of the National Abstinence Education Assocation. Rep. Lee Terry of Nebraska also stopped by the event and added his own remarks. He urged the students to enjoy their time in Washington, D.C. and briefed them about the impact that they are making by visiting their legislators to discuss retaining abstinence funding.