Mississippi Department of Human Services Press Release

Media Contact: Julia Bryan
Phone: 601-359-4517
Release Date: February 6, 2012

(JACKSON, Miss.) National Marriage Week USA has announced an initiative for the week leading up to Valentine's Day and is putting forth a call to mobilize diverse organizations across the U.S. to plan for marriage building activities February 7-14.

In recognition of National Marriage Week, Governor Phil Bryant signed a proclamation to raise awareness of the need for communities, faith-based organizations and businesses to support efforts to strengthen marriages in Mississippi. National Marriage Week is a celebration to honor marriages and raise awareness of the need to strengthen this vital union. The theme for this year's events is "Healthy Marriages Build a Better Mississippi."

"I have been blessed with the very best bride a man could ask for, my bride of 35 years, Deborah. We are happy to support Marriage Week and hope this emphasis serves as a reminder that strong marriages are vital to a healthy society," said Governor Phil Bryant.

Recent statistics are alarming. A Marriage Index, released jointly by the National Center on African American Marriages and Parenting (NCAAMP) and the Institute for American Values in October 2009, reveals a huge decline in national marriage indicators. One indicator shows 78 percent of adults were married in 1970, while only 57 percent of adults were married in 2008. Another indicator shows 40 percent of all children in America are now born out of wedlock in 2008; and 72 percent of African American children are now born without married parents.

The Mississippi Department of Human Services partners with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, to improve the well-being of families by focusing on healthy choices. Services are offered through 30 Families First Resource Centers throughout the state with programs such as: Healthy Marriage, Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Responsible Fatherhood and Parenting.

MDHS seeks to ensure Mississippians have the tools necessary to make healthy choices for them and their families and build a better Mississippi for all.

Go to http://www.nationalmarriageweekusa.org/ for additional information on local events and National Marriage Week.

Mississippi Department of Human Services 
Office of Communications
Phone 800.345.6347
Web Site: www.mdhs.state.ms.us
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