September 29, 2011, Washington DC — Congressman Denny Rehberg (R-MT), chairman of the House Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriation Subcommittee, released the Draft Fiscal Year 2012 Labor, Health and Human Services Funding Bill today that includes a funding provision for Abstinence Education. The bill would provide $20 million dollars for competitive grants for abstinence programming by public or private entities.

"The National Abstinence Education Association (NAEA) applauds Chairman Rehberg and the subcommittee for the sound judgment they have demonstrated in restoring this funding. It is clear that parents across the country support such programming and will be gratified to see their tax dollars supporting the healthy message of abstinence," stated Valerie Huber, Executive Director of NAEA. Ms. Huber continued by thanking the Members of Congress who made this sex education policy change possible: "NAEA appreciates the leadership of several Members of Congress who helped make today's announcement a reality. Each Member recognizes the importance of re-establishing sexual risk avoidance within federal sex education policy." Those Members deserving special praise include:

• Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-MT) for inserting abstinence education language in the FY 2012 LHHS Appropriations Bill as chair of the Labor HHS subcommittee;
• Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA) for specifically asking for abstinence education to be included in the budget as leader on the Energy & Commerce Health subcommittee, the authorizing committee for abstinence education;
• Speaker John Boehner and Leader Eric Cantor for supporting a renewed emphasis on abstinence education;
• Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-IL) for introducing the Abstinence Education Reallocation Act, which will authorize Sexual Risk Avoidance (SRA) education as a priority in federal sex education.
• Rep. Dan Boren (D-OK) and Rep. Bill Flores (R-TX) for leading a Member letter that requested that abstinence education be inserted in the FY 2012 budget.
• Others, like Gov. Judy Martz (MT), have taken note of the subcommittee's action regarding abstinence education: "I'm thrilled that Rep. Rehberg is on the correct side of this issue to educate young people that the only truly safe choice is abstinence, so I thank him for his common sense leadership." Steve Daines, a Montana businessman and congressional candidate for the seat being vacated by Rep. Rehberg, also supported news of this funding restoration: "It is encouraging to know that we have leaders in Congress who understand the importance of giving our youth the best health message possible regarding sexuality."

NAEA is pleased of the efforts to restore Abstinence Education funding by the US House of Representatives and looks forward to working with Senate leaders to continue this important work. Our youth deserve the best opportunity to secure the best outcomes for their health and well-being.

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NAEA is a professional association representing organizations and individuals who support a priority on risk avoidance through abstinence education. NAEA members serve students across the nation. For more information, visit the NAEA website: www.theNAEA.org and www.abstinenceworks.org.