What Policymakers Say About Healthy Marriage

Many policymakers and government officials are interested in increasing and sustaining healthy marriages in the U.S. as a strategy to promote social well-being. In this section we provide examples of how various policymakers have publicly discussed marriage. Please check back for updates, as this section will expand in the future.

President George W. Bush

"To encourage marriage and promote the well-being of children, I have proposed a healthy marriage initiative to help couples develop the skills and knowledge to form and sustain healthy marriages. Research has shown that, on average, children raised in households headed by married parents fare better than children who grow up in other family structures. Through education and counseling programs, faith-based, community, and government organizations promote healthy marriages and a better quality of life for children. By supporting responsible child-rearing and strong families, my Administration is seeking to ensure that every child can grow up in a safe and loving home." - February, 2002
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/02/20040224-2.html - February 24, 2004 Remarks at the Whitehouse
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/10/20031003-12.html - October 3, 2003 Proclamation: National Marriage Protection Week

Dr. Wade Horn – Former Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/horn200508090806.asp - "Wedded to Marriage: Invest Now or Pay Later" August 9, 2005 National Review Online
http://hspc.org/policy_forums/pdf/marriage_forum_wade.pdf - "Promoting Self-sufficiency, Protecting Children and Strengthening Marriage" Summary of Remarks at the University of Washington’s Center for Research on Families, Dec 5, 2002
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/olab/legislative/testimony/2004/healthy_marriage_testimony.htm - Testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee on Children and Families, April 28, 2004
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/olab/legislative/testimony/2002/marriage.html - Testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance on Welfare Reform and Healthy Marriage – May 16, 2002
http://www.hhs.gov/asl/testify/t060503.html - Testimony before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on the District of Columbia Committee on Appropriations – May 3, 2006

Howard H. Hendrick, Director, Oklahoma Department of Human Services

http://www.senate.gov/~finance/hearings/testimony/2003test/031203hhtest.pdf - Testimony before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee March 12, 2003
http://www.senate.gov/comm/finance/general/hearings/testimony/051602hhtest.pdf - Testimony before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee March 16, 2002
http://www.okmarriage.org/downloads/media/survey_report.pdf - Foreword to the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative Baseline Survey
http://www.newsok.com/article/2983229/ "Many Young Parents Not Prepared" The Daily OklahomaDec. 10, 2006

Don Winstead, Deputy Secretary, Florida Department of Children and Families

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/interviews/interview_upd.cfm?id=57&pageMode=general - Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy, Rockefeller Institute