Proclaiming April as "Chastity Awareness Month."

The Philadelphia City Council designates the Month of April 2005, as

“Chastity Awareness Month” in Philadelphia

and encourages participation in “Chastity Day” presentations for schools and youth groups.

WHEREAS, Chastity promotes sexual self-control, self-esteem and self-respect, regardless of previous sexual behavior; and

WHEREAS, Chastity places sexual intercourse and intimate acts within the context of marriage; and

WHEREAS, Teenage pregnancy outside of marriage is a continuing problem in our society; and

WHEREAS, Each year, one million teenagers become pregnant, with about 70% of these teenage mothers being unmarried and more than 40% of them being school dropouts; and

WHEREAS, Abstaining from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and related emotional trauma; and

WHEREAS, “Chastity Day” presentations have been delivered for numerous schools and youth groups, with an annual attendance of over 10,000 participants; and

WHEREAS, Presentations are made by members of Generation Life, other organizations, and teens who provide peer testimony; and

WHEREAS, Parent meetings are held to encourage the discussion of chastity in the home setting; and

WHEREAS, Chastity education emphasizes the powerful effect that alcohol and drug use have in increasing vulnerability to sexual advances and preventing good decision making; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the Philadelphia City Council designates the month of April 2005, as “Chastity Awareness Month” in Philadelphia and encourages participation in “Chastity Day” presentations for schools and youth groups; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Generation Life, further evidencing the sincere admiration and gratitude of this legislative body.

End