The Honorable Tom J.

Dugger
2300 North Lincoln Boulevard
Oklahoma City, OK 73105

Dear Senator Dugger,

My name is Jessica Phillips, and I am a student majoring in Psychology at Northern Oklahoma College.
Like you, I am very active in bettering my community through its individuals and families. This is reflected in
my volunteer work through the Special Olympics and my job in the Developmentally Disabled Services
Division. I am writing to you today regarding some bills I learned about through News 9, and why I encourage
you to vote yes on SB926, SB50, and HB 1018.
SB926 will be a significant step forward for Oklahoma when it comes to talking about consent. Fatherly
is a website that makes a good point when talking about consent; it doesn’t have to be about sex, but about
respecting boundaries. The bill also addresses sexual assault, and I think it is essential that students learn about
right and wrong in these situations should they arise.
Oklahoma continues to rank among the worst for teenage pregnancy. Currently, we rank number three
out of all fifty states according to the Tulsa Health Department. In a generation of technology, dating apps, and
hookup culture, it is imperative more than ever to provide students with the tools to take control of their future.
Not only has Oklahoma consistently ranked among the bottom, but we as taxpayers have spent 190 million
dollars a year when it comes to teenage pregnancy for girls between fifteen and nineteen years of age. SB50
would provide a much-needed environment to learn about safe sex. These tools can further shape the choices of
young women who are not ready for motherhood.
HB1018 is the last bill I encourage you to vote in favor of. In Oklahoma, HIV and AIDS are seen as an
epidemic by some federal and state observers. I will always believe that knowledge is power and by giving an
updated curriculum to the people we can perhaps one day eradicate these diseases. AIDSVu.org does an
incredible job of breaking this disease down into categories. In the female group of those living with HIV,
heterosexual contact makes up for 86.5% of these cases. Through the male transmission category, homosexual
contact makes up 76.3% of the people also living with these cases. Both categories collectively show that drug
transmission of these diseases only accounts for 18.5%. This fact is surprising to me because the data does not
match the typical stereotype. The first two bills along with HB1018 will make fantastic progress for the states
battle with these diseases.
As a student and future educator, I believe that education should be accessible to all people, and
especially students within the state of Oklahoma. We have the chance to improve lives and maybe even save
some of the lives of our neighbors. I know that a better future for Oklahoma is within reach for all of us. It is in
the best interest of the state to vote in favor of these bills.

Sincerely,
Jessica Phillips
324 S Terrill Dr.
Stillwater Ok, 74075
Phillips.jessica2215@gmail.com