QUOTES SAMPLER FOR LOBBY DAY CARDS

We are gratified and grateful to God that the House of Representatives passed House Bill 1013. We are now reaching out to the Senate. On September 16, don't miss the opportunity for a field trip, civics lesson and a service project - all in one day - while working to change Pennsylvania's homeschool law! Sign up here today to RSVP for the event and to pick 3 of our State Senators whom you want to honor, encourage and pray for as you are led. 

We ask that your children create cards or some other craft item to give our Senators as a gift. When they make these creative gifts, feel free to add a quote that means the most to you. If it inspires you, it may inspire them too!

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QUOTES FROM THE FOUNDING FATHERS 

Collected by Danielle Cunningham and Gennel Zimmerman

As good government is an empire of laws, how shall your laws be made? In a large society, inhabiting an extensive country, it is impossible that the whole should assemble to make laws. The first necessary step, then, is to depute power from the many to a few of the most wise and good.

John Adams: Thoughts on Government, 1776

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A constitution founded on these principles introduces knowledge among the people, and inspires them with a conscious dignity becoming freemen; a general emulation takes place, which causes good humor, sociability, good manners, and good morals to be general. That elevation of sentiment inspired by such a government, makes the common people brave and enterprising. That ambition which is inspired by it makes them sober, industrious, and frugal.

John Adams: Thoughts on Government, 1776

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Government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness of the people; and not for profit, honor, or private interest of any one man, family, or class of men; therefore, the people alone have an incontestable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to institute government; and to reform, alter, or totally change the same, when their protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness require it.

John Adams: Thoughts on Government, 1776

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Human government is more or less perfect as it approaches nearer or diverges farther from the imitation of this perfect plan of divine and moral government.

John Adams: draft of a Newspaper Communication, Circa August 1770

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If there is a form of government, then, whose principle and foundation is virtue, will not every sober man acknowledge it better calculated to promote the general happiness than any other form?

 John Adams: Thoughts on Government, 1776

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Public virtue cannot exist in a nation without private, and public virtue is the only foundation of republics. There must be a positive passion for the public good, the public interest, honour, power and glory, established in the minds of the people, or there can be no republican government, nor any real liberty: and this public passion must be superior to all private passions.

John Adams: letter to Mercy Warren, April 16, 1776

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The dignity and stability of government in all its branches, the morals of the people, and every blessing of society depend so much upon an upright and skillful administration of justice, that the judicial power ought to be distinct from both the legislative and executive, and independent upon both, that so it may be a check upon both, and both should be checks upon that.

John Adams: Thoughts on Government, 1776

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They define a republic to be a government of laws, and not of men.

John Adams: Novanglus No. 7, March 6, 1775

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We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.

John Adams: Address to the Military, October 11, 1798

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Since private and publick Vices, are in Reality, though not always apparently, so nearly connected, of how much Importance, how necessary is it, that the utmost Pains be taken by the Publick, to have the Principles of Virtue early inculcated on the Minds even of children, and the moral Sense kept alive, and that the wise institutions of our Ancestors for these great Purposes be encouraged by the Government. For no people will tamely surrender their Liberties, nor can any be easily subdued, when knowledge is diffusd and Virtue is preservd. On the Contrary, when People are universally ignorant, and debauchd in their Manners, they will sink under their own weight without the Aid of foreign Invaders.

Samuel Adams: Letter to James Warren, November 4, 1775

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If ever the Time should come, when vain & aspiring Men shall possess the highest Seats in Government, our Country will stand in Need of its experienced Patriots to prevent its Ruin

Samuel Adams: Letter to James Warren, October 24, 1780

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I could dwell on the importance of piety and religion; of industry and frugality; of prudence, economy, regularity and an even government; all which are essential to the well-being of a family. But I have not Time. I cannot however help repeating Piety, because I think it indispensible. Religion in a Family is at once its brightest Ornament & its best Security. The first Point of Justice, says a Writer I have met with, consists in Piety; Nothing certainly being so great a Debt upon us, as to render to the Creator & Preserver those Acknowledgments which are due to Him for our Being, and the hourly Protection he affords us.

Samuel Adams: Letter to Thomas Wells, November 22, 1780

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 If men of wisdom and knowledge, of moderation and temperance, of patience, fortitude and perseverance, of sobriety and true republican simplicity of manners, of zeal for the honour of the Supreme Being and the welfare of the commonwealth; if men possessed of these other excellent qualities are chosen to fill the seats of government, we may expect that our affairs will rest on a solid and permanent foundation

Samuel Adams: Letter to Elbridge Gerry, November 27, 1780

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Let Divines, and Philosophers, Statesmen and Patriots unite their endeavours to renovate the Age, by impressing the Minds of Men with the importance of educating their little boys, and girls - of inculcating in the Minds of youth the fear, and Love of the Deity, and universal Phylanthropy; and in subordination to these great principles, the Love of their Country - of instructing them in the Art of self government, without which they never can act a wise part in the Government of Societys great, or small - in short of leading them in the Study, and Practice of the exalted Virtues of the Christian system, which will happily tend to subdue the turbulent passions of Men, and introduce that Golden Age beautifully described in figurative language; when the Wolf shall dwell with the Lamb, and the Leopard lie down with the Kid - the Cow, and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together, and the Lyon shall eat straw like the Ox - none shall then hurt, or destroy; for the Earth shall be full of the Knowledge of the Lord.

Samuel Adams: Letter to John Adams, October 4, 1790

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It has been observed, that "education has a greater influence on manners, than human laws can have." Human laws excite fears and apprehensions, least crimes committed may be detected and punished: But a virtuous education is calculated to reach and influence the heart, and to prevent crimes. A very judicious writer, has quoted Plato, who in shewing what care for the security of States ought to be taken of the education of youth, speaks of it as almost sufficient to supply the place both of Legislation and Administration. Such an education, which leads the youth beyond mere outside shew, will impress their minds with a profound reverence of the Deity, universal benevolence, and a warm attachment and affection towards their country. It will excite in them a just regard to Divine Revelation, which informs them of the original character and dignity of Man; and it will inspire them with a sense of true honor, which consists in conforming as much as possible, their principles, habits, and manners to that original character. It will enlarge their powers of mind, and prompt them impartially to search for truth in the consideration of every subject that may employ their thoughts; and among other branches of knowledge, it will instruct them in the skill of political architecture and jurisprudence; and qualify them to discover any error, if there should be such, in the forms and administration of Governments, and point out the method of correcting them.

Samuel Adams: Address to Massachusetts Legislature as Governor, January 17, 1794

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The people alone have an incontestable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to institute government and to reform, alter, or totally change the same when their protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness require it. And the federal Constitution - according to the mode prescribed therein [Article V] - has already undergone such amendments in several parts of it as from experience has been judged necessary.

Samuel Adams: the Legislature of Massachusetts, January 19, 1796

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Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other

John Adams: Unknown

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There are many, many more if there are no snippets of these that catch your attention.  One excellent place for locating quotes from the founding fathers is at the following website.  It also has a nice search feature if you are looking for a particular phrase or idea - http://www.foundingfatherquotes.com/

Do you have a favorite quote from one of the Founding Fathers? If so, share it with us in comment. We might include it in this collection.

ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE?

According to George Barna, 14% of American adults who believe they're registered to vote, are not registered. Commit2Vote2014.com





Pennsylvania voters can find out if you are registered HERE.

GET HOUSE BILL 1013 MOVING IN THE SENATE

Our petition asking Governor Corbett to pressure our legislature to have HB1013 on his desk before October 15 needs your help. Sign the petition and ask family members, relatives and friends to sign it. They don't need to be homeschoolers to support our freedom to homeschool. Please ask everyone you know to sign the petition.

We have about 15 weeks to watch HB1013 either go into death throes or be approved and born as a baby freedom in the homeschool law. It all depends on how badly YOU want to make it happen.

I was assured that the Governor's policy office has been discussing HB1013. Unfortunately, they somehow got the impression that we're asking him to bypass the legislative process. When you call his office please clarify that what we ask is that he insists that the Senate Education Committee - where HB1013 is currently being reviewed - schedule a vote and keep the bill moving into the Ways and Means Committee, then the full Senate Floor, before it dies at the end of the legislative term again. Assure them that this is in no way asking for special treatment considering that we've been lobbying the legislature all this time. You may remind them that we're school property tax payers receiving no benefit from the school district in return.

In dealing with policy making, we anticipate obstacles along the way but we cannot always predict what it looks like or where it will come from. The House was closely working with the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) every step of the way until successful final passage on June 29. It appeared that we had their blessing particularly when they offered to provide homeschool graduates a downloadable diploma - no extra requirements from them - to provide uniformity in parent-issued diploma. We have recently learned that the PDE is now taking issue that a parent-issued diploma is not aligned to the standard of State issued diploma for students who are in traditional school.

PDE knows that we follow a stringent number of requirements to home educate in Pennsylvania. We are the only state with rigid diploma requirements for graduation so what's going on? I believe that the trending federalization of education is catching up to homeschoolers in Pennsylvania. PDE is considering subjecting homeschoolers to Keystone and PSSA testing. The 10 State approved national tests we have been mandated to use at 3rd, 5th and 8th grades may be replaced.

ACTION ITEMS:

1 - Call the Governor's office. Urge him to show his support for homeschooling and education freedom by helping us pass HB 1013 as soon as quickly possible. 

2 - Call the Pennsylvania Department of Education and tell them to support the passage of HB1013, not slow it down. Tell them that studies upon studies show that homeschoolers are generally performing well not just academically but in all areas of life. 

3 - Continue calling your Senator and tell them to support HB1013 by concurring the vote; pass it without any Senate amendments; voting it out of the Senate floor as soon as possible. If he or she is not a member of the Senate Ed Com, ask that they urge the Senate Ed Com to schedule a vote soon. Then, you call each member of the Senate Ed Com today to vote on HB1013 without further ado when they come back in session.

4 - Plan to bring your family to CHAP HELP Day (Home Education Lobby Program) at the Capitol on Tuesday, September 16, 1:30 to 4:00 PM.

We ask students from each family to make cards or other arts and crafts project to give to 3 members of the Senate. They can be the same or different things. We ask you to include a Bible verse or a quote from a founding father to honor and encourage them in their job as a public servant. We will also lobby to pass House Bill 1013 in the Senate.

5 - Pray with us as we work out the details of the lobby day and watch the announcement details at our website and blog.

SUMMER LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

If no news is good news, I suppose we could skip this months update! We have had some good successes to warrant a summer break! Be that as it may, we will remain at the edge of our seats until House Bill 1013 reaches the finish line and we're not quite there yet.

There are many who still do not know the level of disparity some of us are experiencing from our school districts under our current archaic and burdensome law. The gamut of emotions I heard from a number of friends while they submitted their portfolio attest to this. May we ask you to continue to share the video of our efforts to make homeschooling better in Pennsylvania? Share it with everybody you know who may not understand where our State stands towards parent-led, home-based, privately-funded education.

We also need to significantly grow the support to petition the Governor insisting that the General Assembly put the bill on his desk before October 15. Families who don't think they can handle the burden of our current homeschool laws are watching our progress to help them make a decision about moving to Pennsylvania, or whether to pull their children from the brick and mortar school. They're signing the petition. Your freedom loving friends and loved ones can sign the petition too.

 

HB1013 is now in the Senate Education Committee (Senate Ed Com). We thought the General Assembly went into recess but later learned that the Senate continued to meet. So last Tuesday, July 8, four moms and I decided to go and make a touchstone effort before summer break and before Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators and other opponents lobby against HB1013. In keeping with our practice of showing our appreciation, we brought home baked goodies: pies and cookies for all 11 members of the Senate Ed Com. Laying some important groundwork, we gave them each a copy of CHAP's informational folder which includes Dr. Brian Ray's newest pamphlet on homeschooling success. We did the same at the Governor's office. They all mentioned that they have been getting calls and emails and we just need to keep contacting and educating them, after all "the squeaky wheel gets the grease." They need to hear us louder than our opponents. We know that granting freedom is always good legislation!

Our current work is to get the Senate Ed Com to do 3 things:

1. Tell them to CONCUR HB1013 (a Senate version will prolong the process)
2. Ask the Senate for NO AMENDMENTS (an amendment will send the bill back to the House)
3. Urge them to put it on the agenda AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

As soon as we have the Senate's session calendar, we will schedule another Home Education Lobby Program (CHAP HELP Day) at the Capitol, probably in September. The two big ones we've had recently have been great learning opportunities. 

In the meantime, your legislators are at their district offices this summer. Pay them a visit. It is good for them to meet real homeschoolers and see that we are normal families dedicated and invested in our children's future with neither government dependence nor interference.

So... just keep squeaking... just keep squeaking! :-)

UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY

by Fara Wiles

Armstrong County

Pennsylvania is generally known across this nation as the State where our country found its voice. Our founders gathered here to discuss and debate ideas in order to defend individual liberties. The unity of the colonies would determine the future of this fledgling country.

Two centuries later, Pennsylvania is home to another discussion and debate having to do with our individual liberties. Though the path was cleared by homeschoolers that came before us, we find ourselves struggling to streamline the laws that are currently “on the books”.

Homeschool parents across this State are passionately concerned about the most recent homeschool legislation that has come up in House of Representatives; House Bill 1013. Oddly, I have observed that instead of homeschoolers either being wholly in support of the bill, or wholly in opposition, the homeschool community is divided.

Unfortunately, it seems the concerns about this law and its amendment aren't based on the facts but on individual perception of what HB1013 has the potential to do. The explanation of this bill can be found in posts on this blog and on the CHAP website. Feel free to search the site and ask any questions you may have concerning HB1013.

Your historical part

Those who blazed the trail for homeschooling freedom in the beginning, made their mark in history. We are again standing before a potentially historic step in homeschool liberty. We have the opportunity to make progressive steps into the future if only we learn how to communicate the facts about the current homeschool law, potential homeschool law (i.e., HB1013), and how both of these things affect our lives.

However, the only way we will accomplish positive steps forward is to work together respectfully. One way to ease the concerns people have regarding the homeschool law is to know it yourself so you can explain it with confidence to others. Show your own maturity and sensibilities by having long-suffering patience with everyone who questions you and why you hold the stance you do.

While sharing what you know with your fellow homeschool parents and families, share what you know with confidence and diplomacy with our State legislature and Governor's office. When you call, email, or write to those in office, remember that not everyone knows everything about the law. Nobody can know everything; so be patient. The homeschool laws are what we have to deal with year in and year out. It's our job as the Supervisor to our children's home education to know this law and what it means to our daily lives as homeschoolers.

Whatever opposition you may face, always, always listen with a diplomatic and compassionate ear. Do not be defensive, but be clear. Prepare yourself with facts. Facts which can be found on the CHAP website and blog. Visit the CHAP facebook page and ask questions.

In order to make progress in Pennsylvania and bring us to a point where we're once again known as the State of liberty instead of the state of redundant regulation, contact our State legislators and our Governor and bring their attention to this very important issue. Let both the legislature and the Governor's office know what this bill is about, and what amendment was tacked on and let them know how you feel about these changes. Be informed and inform!

Your knowledge, confidence, passion and diplomacy will get HB 1013 through the legislature and onto the Governor. Without your help, this bill may stall. We may not get a similar chance at such a bill that is simply intending to streamline the process for homeschoolers, superintendents, and even the Department of Education.

HOUSE BILL 1013 PASSED IN THE HOUSE FLOOR

A vote of 133 to 65 is a tremendous victory! We give our Lord Jesus Christ the glory, first and foremost! Rep. Gillen has expressed the same spirit.

You will not believe the number of times we were told, "I never thought the bill will get this far" -- so this is definitely a God-thing, especially when we consider the sources of opposition we faced.

We want to tell you all that we dearly appreciate your determination in following the progress and keeping up with the action steps. It can and has been both confusing and frustrating at times, but you stayed with us. 

Samuel Adams' words: "It does not take a majority to prevail... but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men". I think we proved that true, and we're not done yet.

With the amendment added which recognizes diploma granting organizations, we can now more truly say that everybody wins in this bill -- somewhat like the shedding of grace Christ offers to all of us. 

Continue to pray as we approach the next phase of making HB1013 a statute, passing it through the Senate and finally taking it to the Governor for signature. We just don't know what God has in mind. His ways and his timing are always perfect.   

Rep. Gillen gives his regards to all of us whom he calls friends. 

DID WE PASS THE BILL YET?

House Bill 1013 got the votes to get out of Rules Committee today! Getting it out of Rules gives us confidence that we have the vote in the House-- or they would have just let it sit until it dies in November. The persistent calls and emails you made asking them to sign on or support the bill made a difference. Otherwise, the risk of our bill getting a down vote would have been unfavorable to our cause.
   
Before a vote of passage occurs, it is considered by the House of Representatives on 3 separate legislative days. Remember that the legislature has 3,000 bills and 1,000 amendments this session. These days of consideration allows them the opportunity to learn all they can about any particular bill.

The first day of consideration was on June 4, when it was voted out of House Education Committee and re-committed to Rules Committee. Rep. Gillen amended the bill to include an optional diploma form from the Pennsylvania Department of Education -- a recommendation he received from the PDE.

Today was the second day of consideration. There were 18 proposed amendments altogether. Only 4 were heard on the floor and only 1 was adopted into the new text; the rest of the proposals were rejected as out of order.  That amendment to HB1013 includes the recognition of diploma-granting organizations within the statute, and that's welcome progress to end the second day of consideration.

The House members will be conducting non-voting meetings on Saturday. They will resume voting on Sunday at 5:00 PM. We will post it here when we find out the schedule. The third day of consideration will involve more debates but it helps raise the credibility of the bill and leads to final passage vote in the House.

"Will the bill be law, then?"

Not yet, but almost! It just has to go through the Senate Education Committee first before the full Senate Chamber, then on to the Governor's desk to be signed into law.

Realistically speaking, the process in the Senate will have to wait until the General Assembly returns after summer recess. But we must get it out of the House within the next 2 days to avoid a tougher going in the fall. 

Mike Folmer, Senate Ed Com Chair, has been prepped for HB1013 and plans to concur it in the Senate - instead of introducing a Senate version - since the bill has already gone this far. 

We have also done preliminary work with the Governor introducing HB1013 to his education and policy staffers. To help speed up the process - at least avoid it from getting bogged down in the legislature - we are conducting a petition. We ask everyone to sign and share it. The petition to the Pennsylvania Governor: Insist that the General Assembly bring House Bill 1013 to his desk for his signature prior to October 15.  

MORE ACTION ITEMS:

The goal remains - getting the vote. The more votes we get, the stronger the message becomes that homeschooling works and homeschoolers should be liberated from the shackles of bureaucracy. Keep the phone calls and emails going out especially if YOUR Representative in not on this list yet. Then, let's not forget to thank those who are on the list. Our gratitude positions us for - with Gods grace - more legislative favor.   

More importantly, pray. Ungodly forces and our human nature pre-disposed to fear and pride will be our undoing. 

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1, NIV)