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REMARKS BY:	DONNA E. SHALALA, SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
PLACE:		Children's Aid Society Annual Symposium, New York, New York
DATE:		October 19, 2000

Like Charles Loring Brace, Eleanor Roosevelt made it her business to stand up and speak for those who could not. Eleanor Roosevelt once said: "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."

We all know that the future belongs to our children. That's why - together - we've been helping young people make smart choices - the kind of choices that help make dreams come true.

That's not always easy. We live in an age where young people are bombarded with messages that promote risky behavior. We've all seen these images. And we all know that teen pregnancy remains a serious national problem -- not only for young girls and boys -- but for our entire American family. Teen parents are at higher risk for having difficult pregnancies. Their babies have disproportionately high infant mortality rates. And they're more likely to be poor.

However, there is good news. Recently, we announced that the birth rate for teenagers declined to its lowest rate since we started keeping records 60 years ago. In fact, after steadily rising from 1987 to 1991, the birth rate for teens aged 15-19 declined for the eighth straight year in 1999 to a record low -- with a consistent drop in all 50 states. That's good news for America's families and for America's future.

What it means is that more and more young people are making smart choices. Encouraging young people to make smart choices is what the Children's Aid Society is all about. Thanks to the tremendous effort by the Mott and Robin Hood Foundations and many other leaders here today - the Children's Aid Society is making a real difference in the lives and futures of many teens right here in New York and around the country.

The Children's Aid Society's prevention project offers help that ranges from providing medical services to guaranteed college admission. In essence: the Children's Aid Society is strengthening the supports and services young people need to make informed decisions about their health and futures.

Thanks in part to this kind of comprehensive approach to prevention, we've turned the tide against teen pregnancy. The Children's Aid Society, and everyone here today, knows that our work must continue.

That's why you're hosting today's symposium - releasing the results of a new and important evaluation of the Children's Aid Society's prevention program. I commend your tremendous efforts to improve teen pregnancy prevention. I also want to recognize the outstanding work of Michael Carrera -- my old friend.

When Michael first approached me about the project, I was intrigued with the concept of educational opportunity as an incentive. I learned a lot. These programs are labor intensive. Michael deserves all the credit in the world -- both for his stewardship of the Children's Aid Society's prevention program as well as his insightful look at its progress.

Young people may be only 26 percent of America's population - but they're 100 percent of America's future. We must not let them down. By working together I know that, one day, we'll encourage every young person to see the beauty of their dreams. Together -- we'll help them to develop the skills to conquer the future, to lead our nation into a new millennium, and to ensure a bright future for the entire American family. Thank you.