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ACTION ALERT

Support efforts to replace ineffective and inaccurate abstinence-only sex education programs in our public schools

Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA), along with 95 co-sponsors, introduced legislation (HR 2553 - The REAL Act) that will create a $206 million grant program to be administered by the Department of Health and Human Services to allow states to implement a comprehensive approach to sex education. Abstinence-only programs, driven by puritanical religious beliefs, must be replaced by comprehensive programs, which are effective in educating young people on how to protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies. Henry Waxman (D-CA) issued a report last year showing that abstinence-only programs were ineffective and inaccurate.

Take a Stand: If your Congressperson is a member of the House Subcommittee on Health (see below) urge them to support H.R. 2553 - The Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act - by voting it out of subcommittee without amendment. Our public school curricula, including sex education, must be effective programs based on reason not religion.

You can contact your Representatives through their websites or through the Legislator/Media Lookup by Zip Code.

The House Subcommittee Heath members are: Chair, Nathan Deal (R-GA); Ranking Member, Sherrod Brown (D-OH); Tom Allen (D-ME); Tammy Baldwin (D-WI); Michael Bilirakis (R-FL); Mary Bono (R-CA); Michael Burgess (R-TX); Steve Buyer (R-IN); Lois Capps (D-CA); Barbara Cubin (R-WY); Jim Davis (D-FL); Diana DeGette (D-CO); Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA); Mike Ferguson (R-NJ); Paul E. Gillmore (R-OH); Bart Gordon (D-TN); Gene Green (D-TX); Ralph M. Hall (R-TX); Sue Myrick (R-NC); Charlie Norwood (R-GA); Charles "Chip" Pickering (R-MS); Joseph R. Pitts (R-PA); Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ); Mike Rogers (R-MI); Bobby L. Rush (D-IL); John B. Shadegg (R-AZ); John Shimkus (R-IL); Ted Strickland (D-OH); Edolphus Towns (D-NY); Fred Upton (R-MI); and, Henry A. Waxman (D-CA).