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 Declaration Honors Educational Choice

Governor Signs Proclamation for Home Education

March 9th, 2006 – Austin – A proclamation signed by Governor Rick Perry signifies a time of special celebration for thousands of home schooling families across the state. The proclamation declares the week of March 12-18, 2006, as Home Education Week in Texas. 

“News of the proclamation is received with a sense of pride by the home education community, which faced court battles for almost ten years in order to clarify families’ legal right to homeschool,” said Tim Lambert, president of the Texas Home School Coalition (THSC). “We are proud to have a governor who recognizes the right of parents to teach their children at home.”

The proclamation states in part:

The full promise of this great nation heavily depends on how well young Americans are prepared to embrace and succeed at the challenges ahead.  At this time, therefore, I encourage all Texans to recognize the important role that home schooling plays in educating our children.  As we look to the future, our children’s success is Texas’ success.

THSC will celebrate Home Education Week with its annual Awards Banquet to be held in San Antonio on Friday, March 17^th, at 7 p.m. at the Marriott Northwest.  Governor Perry is scheduled to deliver the keynote address. Besides recognizing Representative Brian McCall and Governor Perry for their support of the home school community of Texas, the THSC Home School Leader of the Year will be announced, and students who earned Good Citizenship Awards will be recognized, as well as the State Home School Speech and Debate Tournament winners and others.

The first proclamation of Home Education Week in Texas was signed by Governor William Clements in 1989, and this has become a Texas tradition. Families from all over Texas will be coming to San Antonio to attend the Awards Banquet and to show support for the freedom parents have to teach their children at home. Many more will be celebrating this special week in their own home towns.

For more information on the proclamation and the planned celebrations or to arrange an interview, contact Tim Lambert at 806-744-4441 or email Tim@thsc.org. For your convenience, the wording of the entire proclamation is attached.

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The following is the actual wording of the proclamation:

State of Texas

Office of the Governor

Parents have many options when choosing the most appropriate educational setting for their children.  Across the Long Star State, home schools play an increasingly important role in helping students prepare for their future.

Along with providing students with the building blocks of academic excellence, home schooling allows students to learn and grow in an environment that reflects the beliefs and values of their own family.  Additionally, all family members can take an active part in the educational process, strengthening the ties that bind.

To highlight the important role that home schools play in providing young Texans with the diligence, skills and values necessary for success, the Texas Home School Coalition, along with parents, students and others throughout the state, designates March for an awareness campaign.

The full promise of this great nation heavily depends on how well young Americans are prepared to embrace and succeed at the challenges ahead.  At this time, therefore, I encourage all Texans to recognize the important role that home schooling plays in educating our children.  As we look to the future, our children’s success is Texas’ success.

Therefore, I, Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, do hereby proclaim March 12-18, 2006, Home Education Week in Texas, and urge the appropriate recognition whereof.

In official recognition whereof, I hereby affix my signature this the 16^th day of February, 2006.

Rick Perry

Governor of Texas

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