TO DECLARE WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2019, "SOUTH CAROLINA TEEN PREGNANCY PREVENTION DAY" AND TO HONOR THE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT TEEN PREGNANCY, ITS PARTNERS WITHIN LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS, PARENTS, EDUCATORS, AND TRUSTED ADULTS.

Whereas, teen pregnancies have far-reaching consequences that adversely affect the health, education, and economic future of South Carolina's young people; and

Whereas, 3,406 teen girls ages fifteen to nineteen gave birth in our State in 2017; and

Whereas, teen birth rates in South Carolina decreased by seventy percent between 1991 and 2017; and

Whereas, teen birth rates in South Carolina decreased by nine percent between 2015 and 2017, the lowest teen birth rate for girls ages fifteen to nineteen ever recorded in South Carolina; and

Whereas, however, the progress in teen birth rate reductions that saved South Carolina taxpayers an estimated eighty-five million dollars in 2015 alone should not suggest decreases in investment and commitment to this issue; and

Whereas, "South Carolina Teen Pregnancy Prevention Day" is an opportunity for parents, teen educators, program providers, faith-based organizations, local elected leaders, and statewide policymakers to work together to reduce and prevent teen pregnancy in the Palmetto State. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, declare Wednesday, May 1, 2019, "South Carolina Teen Pregnancy Prevention Day" and honor the valuable contributions of the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, its partners within local communities and organizations, parents, educators, and trusted adults.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.