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HCR036.........................................................by MORTENSEN
CHARACTER-BASED SEX EDUCATION - Stating findings of the Legislature and
requesting that sexuality education in tax-supported public schools,
universities and colleges be character based in nature.
01/07 House intro - 1st rdg - to printing
Rpt prt - to Educ
|||| LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO ||||
Fifty-sixth Legislature Second Regular Session - 2002
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 36
BY MORTENSEN
1 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
2 STATING FINDINGS OF THE LEGISLATURE CONCERNING CHARACTER-BASED SEX EDUCATION
3 AS THE ULTIMATE WEAPON IN THE WAR AGAINST ANOTHER KIND OF "TERRORISM."
4 Be It Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:
5 WHEREAS, since September 11, 2001, the U.S. has made history by its focus
6 on patriotism and American virtues, rather than "politics as usual"; and
7 WHEREAS, George Washington said: "The Foundations of our 'society' will be
8 laid on the pure and immutable principles of private morality" and Benjamin
9 Franklin said: "Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom"; and
10 WHEREAS, Idaho's Constitution charges the Legislature to "further all wise
11 and well-directed efforts for the promotion of temperance and morality"; and
12 WHEREAS, because sexual activity outside of marriage, and sexually trans-
13 mitted diseases (STDs), cause enormous physical and emotional suffering, and
14 cost many billions of dollars each year, as evidenced by the following facts
15 reported by a very reputable source, The Medical Institute for Sexual Health:
16 (a) About 840,000 teens in America become pregnant each year. One-third
17 end in abortion. Over three out of four teen births are out of wedlock;
18 (b) Seven out of ten adolescent mothers drop out of high school;
19 (c) Children raised in single family homes are twice as likely to drop
20 out of high school, and 2.5 times more likely to become teen unwed parents;
21 (d) Over 80% of single mothers under 18 rely on welfare assistance;
22 (e) There are over 20 STDs, with an estimated 68 million current infec-
23 tions among Americans. Each year, 15.3 million new STD infections occur;
24 (f) Each day an estimated 8,000 U.S. teens contract an STD infection;
25 (g) Of all Americans over 12, about 20% are infected with genital herpes;
26 (h) If a college student is sexually active, there is a 25% likelihood
27 each year, of that person contracting an STD. Condoms are not proven to be
28 effective against many STDs, including human papiloma virus which causes over
29 95% of the 14,000 new cases each year of cervical cancer.
30 WHEREAS, according to a Roper Starch poll, a plurality of teens regarded
31 pressure to have sex as the greatest threat to their well-being; and
32 WHEREAS, in the mid-1960s about 8% of American children were born out of
33 wedlock. Today the number has risen fourfold, to about 32%; and
34 WHEREAS, Dr. Neal Maxwell, internationally known author and educator,
35 said: "Unless checked, permissiveness, by the end of its journey, will cause
36 humanity to stare in mute disbelief at its awful consequences."
37 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the members of the Second Regular Ses-
38 sion of the Fifty-sixth Idaho Legislature, the House of Representatives and
39 the Senate concurring therein, that sexuality education in tax-supported pub-
40 lic schools, universities and colleges in Idaho be character-based in nature.
41 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief Clerk of the House of Representa-
42 tives be, and she is hereby authorized and directed to facilitate distribution
43 of this Resolution, and its Statement of Purpose, to all entities concerned
44 with tax-supported public schools, universities and colleges in Idaho.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
RS 11482C2
This resolution will assist the Idaho Legislature in meeting its
Constitutional charge under Section 24, Article III of the
Constitution of the State of Idaho to: "further all wise and
well- directed efforts for the promotion of temperance and morality."
Section 33-512 4., Idaho Code, states that: "The board of trustees
of each school district shall have the powers and duties to protect
the health and morals of the pupils." One simple way for local school
boards to meet this charge is to request, through the superintendent,
that junior and senior high school principals see that this Resolution
be included in the school curriculum.
The greater reason this Resolution should be included in the
curriculum is because: "The core problem facing our schools is a moral
one. All other problems derive from it. Even academic reform depends
on putting character first." (Dr. William Kilpatrick, Boston
University, author of Why Johnny Can't Tell Right from Wrong)
Another purpose of this Resolution is to send a positive message
to students who are already sexually active: that through knowledge
and reflection upon the facts herein (many of which are not generally
known) they can change and regain the advantages of an abstinent
lifestyle. It can also serve to strengthen the resolve of those who
are living an abstinent lifestyle (see lines 30-31 of the Resolution).
Regardless of the past behavior of teachers and parents, etc. they are
not hypocritical when they encourage their adolescents to delay the
onset of sexual activity until marriage... because it is the strongest
personal, public health and economic message.
Mention of "enormous...emotional suffering" on line 13 of this
Resolution is significant because: "The relative silence about the
emotional side of sex is ironic because the emotional and spiritual
dimensions of sex are what make it distinctively human." (Dr. Thomas
Lickona, Professor of Education, State University of New York and
Director, Center for the 4th and 5th Rs - Respect and Responsibility.)
As evidenced in this Resolution, and other sources, the most effective
sexuality education is character-based, designed to enable avoidance
of sexual activity outside of marriage. Such education should be used
in tax-supported public schools, colleges and universities in Idaho.
The Legislature recognizes that the primary responsibility for moral
education rests in the home. However, under Section 33-1608, Idaho
Code, the public school system has the responsibility to "complement
and supplement" the standards established in the home.
FISCAL NOTE
None. Only positive in potential welfare cost reduction, etc.
CONTACT:
Representative Max Mortensen
332-1000
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE/FISCAL NOTE HCR036