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HSLDA urges you to contact members of Congress and ask them to support legislation that would preserve the freedom of religious employers to follow the dictates of their conscience. Applications are being accepted for a free weeklong seminar on faith and society being held by the Heritage Foundation. Please act now to protect religious liberty by commenting on the Obama administration’s controversial mandate regarding abortion-inducing drugs. The National Home Education Research Institute is currently conducting a groundbreaking study of African-American families, and would love your help! Don’t believe the misinformation out there. Homeschool graduates are still fully eligible for federal student aid to college. HSLDA is urging its members and friends to continue contacting the U.S. Senate on behalf of religious liberty. Homeschoolers are encouraged to participate in the USA Science & Engineering Festival. Please call now to oppose the nomination to federal district court of a lawyer with a proven track record of anti-Christian bigotry and judicial activism. Please call now to support a Senate amendment that would block a White House attempt to overrule religious and moral convictions. The White House has yet to respond to thousands of homeschoolers who oppose President Obama’s recent attack on educational freedom. We urge HSLDA members and friends to continue to press for a reply. Please call the White House and your legislators in Congress to tell them the federal government should not dictate how long a child stays in school. Current federal leadership has upheld a new health care mandate that violates freedom of conscience. HSLDA is considering its options in continuing to battle this rule. The federal Department of Education is conducting a national survey that includes a homeschooling component. Though individuals are not obliged to respond, similar past surveys have provided useful information about the growth of homeschooling. With the help of several congressmen, HSLDA secured a long-term guarantee of equal treatment for homeschoolers who wish to enlist in the U.S. military. HSLDA urges opposition to a new U.S. Senate bill that would make every American adult a mandatory reporter of child abuse and neglect. This bill would create a police-state reporting environment and could actually harm at-risk children. While the bill appears to have stalled, we encourage you to read more about this dangerous piece of federal legislation. HSLDA urges members and friends to contact their U.S. senators with concerns about efforts to reauthorize the No Child Left Behind Act. As currently written, the legislation could lead to national education standards. HSLDA believes the federal Race to the Top early learning program subverts the constitutional lawmaking process and erodes the authority of parents. Time is running out for those who wish to speak against proposed government health care regulations that violate the religious convictions of some employers. HSLDA is hosting a lobbyist training day to inform our members regarding the battles we currently face in Washington, D.C., and equip them with the tools they will need to come along side us in protecting homeschooling nationwide. HSLDA encourages homeschoolers to express their concern about the narrow religious exemption in new federal health care regulations. August is here, and members of Congress are heading home for a month in their districts. This is a great opportunity to express your gratitude or frustration and bring up your concerns to the leaders representing you. H.R. 2117 is in direct response to new Department of Education regulations that were issued last November to add a federal definition of a credit hour and federally restrict the accreditation policies of college and universities. HSLDA helped persuade Pentagon officials to extend a program that places homeschool recruits in the military’s highest enlistment option. HSLDA has long been concerned about the level of personal information collected and the invasiveness of the American Community Survey. If you share this concern, we urge you to contact your U.S. representative about a bill that would make most of the questions on the survey optional. Witnesses invited to testify by new leadership in the House called for limited government involvement in education and more freedom of educational choice. The House of Representatives voted to repeal the health care reform law, but the measure faces increased opposition as it moves to the Senate. The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of Education will be offering their 2011 National Financial Capability Challenge March 7–April 8. HSLDA urges members to call their U.S. representatives and share thoughts about an upcoming vote aimed at repealing the government takeover of healthcare that passed in 2010. Thanks to the efforts of HSLDA’s members and friends, we are confident that for now a dangerous U.N. treaty will not be acted upon by the U.S. Senate. Supporters of the UN CEDAW treaty intend to use international law to coerce the restructuring of the family and the role of every man and every woman on the planet. New federal student aid regulations aimed at determining the validity of high school diplomas will not affect homeschoolers as long as they identify themselves as being home—educated. A recently proposed regulation would give the federal Department of Education unprecedented authority over all colleges and universities—even private ones. Key to protecting your family’s right to homeschool is HSLDA’s monitoring of legislation on the state and federal levels. During the 2010 sessions, we evaluated more than 100,000 pieces of legislation. Congress is in recess, which means now is a good time to visit your representative and senators in their home offices. You can encourage those who have battled to protect parental rights and homeschool freedom while impressing upon others the importance of these issues. Over the past several months, states have been steadily adopting the national education standards that the National Governor’s Association released, making them eligible for additional federal funds. HSLDA views this as an alarming trend. Your calls helped prevent passage of a bill that would have severely restricted free speech. HSLDA urges members to continue contacting their U.S. senators, however, in case the legislation is revisited after August recess. Additional information about U.S. Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan’s career indicates at least one instance in which she opposed homeschool freedom. HSLDA urges our members and homeschoolers nationwide to call their two U.S. senators and express their opinions on the nomination of Elena Kagan for Supreme Court. HSLDA urges members to contact their U.S. senators and express their concern regarding the nomination of Elena Kagan for U.S. Supreme Court justice. Kagan’s emphasis on international law could pose a danger to parental rights should she be confirmed. HSLDA urges its members to contact their U.S. representatives and ask them to vote against the DISCLOSE Act, which could have a chilling effect on political speech. Two organizations representing numerous state governors have released education standards in English and mathematics. HSLDA is monitoring the situation to ensure the standards are not forced upon homeschoolers. HSLDA recently urged members of Congress to retain protections for private schools and homeschools as they prepare to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Homeschoolers are invited to participate—and compete—in the first USA Science & Engineering festival to be held in Washington, D.C. this October. Nearly 150 homeschooled students scored in the top 20th percentile of the 2010 National Financial Capability Challenge. Eighty—three homeschool leaders from 37 states and Puerto Rico recently spent three days in the Washington, D.C. area lobbying members of Congress. HSLDA has long been fighting attempts to impose national curriculum standards. Consequently, we intend to oppose the new Common Core State Standards Initiative—national curriculum by another name. Homeschoolers are still being discriminated against by rules governing Education Saving Accounts, despite efforts by HSLDA to have these federal laws changed. We have previously encouraged you to call your U.S. representative and urge him to oppose the health care reform bill which includes a program that threatens parental rights. As the bill may come up for a vote this week, we urge you to continue your calls. Homeschoolers won a major victory last year when the Byrd Scholarship was changed to include home—educated students. Unfortunately, many state departments of education have been slow in incorporating this change into their policies and procedures. At the urging of President Obama, Democrat leaders in the House of Representatives have renewed efforts to pass the Senate version of health care reform. HSLDA strongly opposes this legislation. HSLDA believes that the continuing growth of the federal government’s involvement in education is threatening local schools and parents who are trying to do what is best for their children. Conflict caused by competing bills and the surprise election of a Republican senator in Massachusetts have slowed federal health care legislation to a near halt. After months of negotiations and votes, the U.S. Senate’s final vote on the health care overhaul bill is scheduled for around 7:30 p.m. on December 24, Christmas Eve. The health care bill being debated in the U.S. Senate has designated $1.1 billion to fund expanded government home visitation programs. This provision poses a huge threat to parental rights and could be voted on at any time. The U.S. House of Representatives will vote on its final version of the health care reform legislation sometime this week. HSLDA opposes this bill because it increases government intrusion into the home and could threaten parental rights. On October 8, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a motion to include “hate crimes” in the National Defense Authorization Act to fund the troops. The Senate Finance Committee will start marking up its version of the health care bill September 22, 2009. Urgent calls are needed to the members of the committee asking that the creation of home visitation programs, in Subtitle I, be taken out of the bill. The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote today or tomorrow on H.R. 3221, the “Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009.” This bill should be opposed for numerous reasons. If you want to enlist in the U.S. military as a homeschool high school graduate, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. HSLDA is very concerned about H.R. 3200, the House version of the health care bill, because we see it as a dangerous threat to parental rights. Congress left Washington, D.C. last week without voting on H.R. 3200, the health care reform bill. But HSLDA is still very concerned about the pending legislation. Urgent calls are needed to the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate to oppose H.R. 3200, “America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009.” Although this bill does not directly impact homeschool freedoms, it would significantly impact parental rights and early childhood education. As government increasingly seeks to supplant the private and family spheres, there is yet another form of federal intrusion on the rise: institutionalized early education. There is another UN convention that may be sent to the U.S. Senate for ratification, and would also threaten home educating families: the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women. Sadly, HSLDA’s warnings concerning the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child have proven correct in England, where a new report urges restricting homeschooling on the basis of these “rights.” A recent congressional hearing on education could foreshadow a serious threat to the freedom of homeschoolers nationwide and America’s constitutional tradition of limited government. HSLDA has reviewed H.R. 1388, and there is nothing in the bill as passed by both the House and Senate that would threaten the freedom of homeschool families. Seventeen HSLDA member families met with Federal Relations staff on Capitol Hill for the first Congressional Action Program Lobby Day in the 111th Congress. On March 12, 2009, David Ogden was confirmed by a 65–28 vote in the U.S. Senate to be the U.S. deputy attorney general. As college financial aid offices look to help students afford tuition costs, some homeschoolers are finding out about another scholarship—the Byrd Scholarship—for the first time. After meeting with Consumer Product Safety Commission officials, HSLDA is satisfied that new children’s product regulations will not harm family businesses. Homeschool supporters should urge their senators to oppose the nomination of David Ogden for deputy U.S. attorney general. Ogden is a strong advocate of international law, including the UN Convention on the rights of the Child. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has voted to delay enforcing a portion of new safety requirements regarding certain products for children 12 and under. Specifically, the agency decided to wait a year before requiring manufacturers and importers to test and certify some children’s products. HSLDA has worked closely with top Army National Guard recruitment officers to ensure homeschool graduates receive equal consideration and have access to a full range of benefits when they enlist. As big government increasingly seeks to supplant the private and family spheres, there is yet another form of federal intrusion on the rise: institutionalized early education. Generation Joshua and HSLDA are proud to announce an exciting opportunity for anyone who is interested in affecting the outcome of the 2008 election. Along with our national voter registration drive, we will be sponsoring a special voter registration in six key states—where students can win prizes for their efforts. On July 31, 2008, HSLDA’s Federal Relations staff presented Representative Pete Hoekstra (MI) with the 110th Congress Friend of Homeschooling Award. Eighteen—year—old Texas homeschooler Nicholas Bruno was one of 35 students who earned a perfect score on this year’s National Financial Literacy Challenge. His efforts earned him recognition at a Washington, D.C., awards ceremony and a college scholarship. On June 11, Will Estrada, HSLDA’s Director of Federal Relations, testified before the House Committee on Education and Labor in opposition to portions of H.R. 2343, the Education Begins at Home Act. In December 2007, Home School Legal Defense Association received word that the United States Navy had finally enlisted North Carolina homeschool graduate Brandon Diaz as its newest SEAL. This much—desired outcome followed on the heels of one last phone call to the Navy from Jeremiah Lorrig, deputy director of HSLDA’s Federal Relations Department. The Education Begins At Home Act (H.R. 2343) establishes a program that brings the government into homes by establishing and growing programs that would bring unelected government officials into homes to inspect the family environment. On Wednesday, March 12, over 60 state homeschool leaders from 31 states, came to Washington, D.C., to take part in HSLDA’s National Homeschool Leader Summit, held every two years. U.S. Senator Sam Brownback today applauded the 2nd District Court of Appeal in Los Angeles, California, for its decision to rehear a case involving the rights of parents who choose to homeschool their children. A prominent congressman on the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee released a statement calling a recent California court ruling an "assault" on the right to homeschool. HSLDA's Federal Relations Department has been working with many congressional offices as Congress responds to the California Court of Appeal decision on home education, In re Rachel L. HSLDA strongly believes that federal legislation to protect homeschooling would be very dangerous, as it would be a well—meaning attempt that could easily lead to federal control over homeschooling. Rather, we are encouraging a congressional resolution, and also are working with ParentalRights.org to protect the rights of all parents to direct the education and upbringing of their children through a constitutional amendment. The Education Begins At Home Act (S. 667) establishes a program that brings the government into homes by establishing and growing programs that would bring unelected government officials into homes to inspect the family environment. Home School Legal Defense Association is pleased to announce that William Estrada has been chosen to head up Generation Joshua. It is always encouraging when we can fill key positions at HSLDA from within our ranks of co—laborers. After having taken the time to conduct an extensive job search, we concluded that the best person for this key position is Will. Congress is considering H.R. 3685, the Employment Non—Discrimination Act (ENDA), a bill that would forbid employers of over 15 persons from discriminating in employment or hiring against any person based upon that person’s “sexual orientation.” Nationalized curriculum and testing would take away local control over education by allowing unelected bureaucrats, not parents and local school boards, to decide what subjects should be taught in schools and how. To help keep a major piece of federal legislation from encroaching on homeschoolers, HSLDA took part in a Washington briefing for congressional staffers and others. Dozens of homeschooling parents and children visited Capitol Hill recently as part of HSLDA’s Congressional Action Program. The event not only proved educational for those who attended—it helped yield an important legislative victory. Over the past five months, Home School Legal Defense Association and other organizations achieved an historic victory—one which would have been impossible without the help of hundreds of thousands of homeschoolers and other concerned citizens. We urgently need you to call your U.S. Representative to resist efforts to place federal control over grassroots lobbying activity. The House of Representatives is preparing to introduce its own lobbying reform bill, and it is very likely that attempts will be made to regulate grassroots lobbying. Home School Legal Defense Association has taken a position in opposition to congressional attempts to regulate grassroots lobbying. This first became an issue for us when the 110th Congress introduced Senate Bill 1 (S. 1), a major lobbying reform bill. On March 16, 2007, the Department of Veterans Affairs promulgated new regulations that now treat homeschools just like any other school, ending years of discrimination that questioned whether or not homeschooling was an “educational institution.” The U.S. Marine Corps has joined the U.S. Army in actively pursuing homeschooled students. A recent statement from the Marine Corps Recruiting Command Public Affairs Chief makes it clear that homeschoolers are eligible to enlist in all military programs, the same as a graduate from public school. Congressional Action Program lobbyists are back in full force. After the program’s three—year hiatus, Home School Legal Defense Association President Mike Smith and HSLDA Director of Federal Relations Will Estrada, reinstituted CAP earlier this year with the focus on training families to become citizen—lobbyists on Capitol Hill. The U.S. Senate approved the Bennett amendment by a vote of 55—43. American citizens will remain free to organize and contact their congressional representatives without being forced to comply with federal regulation and oversight. We need you to call your U.S. senators to fight efforts to place federal control over virtually all grassroots lobbying activity. This means that all organizations and groups that encourage people to call their congressmen, including homeschool support groups, will be subject to registration and reporting to Congress. The National Center worked with HSLDA's litigation department to fix the regulations for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to correct a problem which has been affecting homeschool families for years. As another reminder of attempts to take educational choices out of the hands of parents, legislation has been introduced in Congress proposing to amend the U.S. Constitution to make public education a “right.” The elections are a few weeks away, but there is still time to register many new voters. Generation Joshua and the National Center for Home Education have designated Sunday September 10 and 17 as “National Voter Registration Sundays.” Please consider joining this effort to help sign up new voters at your church. In one of its last acts before the August recess, Congress approved the Carl Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 (S. 250). HSLDA was successful in ensuring that protections for home—educated students remained in the bill sent to the President for his expected signature. The National Center for Home Education's 2006 Legislative Summit reached one of its high points on Thursday morning, March 30. Four Senators and eight Representatives spoke to our group of 75 homeschool leaders. On September 13, Senator Craig (R—ID) and Representative Musgrave (R—CO) introduced identical versions of the Homeschool Non—Discrimination Act in both houses of Congress. This bill seeks to eliminate several forms of discrimination which homeschoolers are currently experiencing. The legislation will stop discrimination against homeschooled students who seek to enter college before the "normal" age of seventeen. The first draft of regulations for the re—authorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) corrects a problem which has been affecting homeschool families for years. On May 18, 2005, Representative Mark Green (R—WI—8) introduced the SCHOOL Act (HR 2426). His legislation provides up to $3,000 in federal tax credits for individuals ($6,000 for married couples) who donate to scholarship organizations. In a recent statement to oppose the recent discrimination against homeschoolers in the military, Representative Mark Souder (R—IN—3) took a stand on the House floor in support of homeschoolers. On May 18, the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce approved legislation that would introduce greater competition into the federal Head Start early childhood program. HSLDA worked closely with the House Education Committee staff to ensure that this legislation would not adversely affect homeschooling families. The U.S. Senate may complete the Head Start legislation this session, which was passed by the House on July 25, 2003, by a 217 to 216 vote. National Center for Education Statistics: U.S. Department of Education Preserve the Institution of Marriage Congress will soon be deciding on the right text for a constitutional amendment setting forth that marriage must be between a man and a woman. It is critical that we get this text right. |
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