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The following story appeared on deseretnews.com on October 27, 1999 Bush lectures high schoolers about abstinence ORANGE CITY, Iowa (AP) -- Calling abstinence a "surefire program," Texas Gov. George W. Bush urged high school students to refrain from sexual activity. "Abstinence is not just about children, its about health," the Republican presidential front-runner told about 800 high school students Tuesday. While Bush lectured the teen-agers about avoiding sex, they questioned him about mistakes in his life. Bush has admitted to making poor choices early in life, but has not shared the details. He told a story Tuesday of getting drunk and stealing a Christmas wreath while in college, an incident that he labeled "a prank." "The ultimate consequence is I don't drink any more," said Bush. "I think it is important for the Baby Boomer generation, which I am proud to be part of, to share wisdom from what we have learned. I have made wrong choices in life." In the speech, Bush also sought to bolster his credentials with social conservatives leery of his views on abortion. Bush argues that he takes an anti-abortion stand, but has said he wouldn't require judges he appoints to share his view on the issue. He also has said the nation isn't ready for a constitutional amendment banning abortion. Those positions have drawn fire from his more conservative presidential rivals, and Bush was focusing on the issue in his latest Iowa campaign swing. Bush argued for an expansion of federally funded programs that promote abstinence until they are funded at the same level as other birth control programs, such as contraceptive distribution. He also said that as president he'd expand a provision of the welfare reform law to allow religious organizations to compete for federal money. In addition to abstinence funding, Bush said he would push for better adoption laws, and stressed his backing for laws requiring that parents be notified when their minor-aged daughters seek abortions.
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