Recognizing National Marriage Week

Floor Speech

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Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge and recognize that this is National Marriage Week. The sacred vows that a man and woman exchange as a part of the sacrament of marriage have been part of our culture from the very beginning of humanity. It's an institution that, over the centuries, has proven to be the best for raising a family, and creating self-sufficient and well-balanced children.

However, this week as we celebrate National Marriage Week, I remain deeply concerned that this sacred institution is suffering in our country. More than half of all marriages in the United States end in divorce. Fewer couples are choosing to marry. And there are still large numbers of women having children out of wedlock.

More than half of all babies born to women under the age of 30 are now born outside of marriage. Fifty years ago, that number was around 5 percent. While the culture we live in today is no doubt responsible for much of this shift, the government could be doing more to help this situation. Our laws do not encourage marriage, but in many cases, they also discourage marriage by imposing tax penalties on those who would like to marry.

So, as we recognize the importance of marriage, I believe that it's time that Congress remove the government-imposed financial barriers-- which is often called the marriage tax penalty--that too often make marriage a second choice for these couples.

I am blessed to have been married to my wife, Caroline, for almost 22 years. Our partnership is one of the great joys of my life.

I am proud to recognize National Marriage Week and the institution of marriage here in the United States as well as around the world.

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