Dear Homeschoolers: Thank you, once again, for your faithful support and response to “Call to Action #3.” The responses are still coming in, and to date we know of at least 250. Most of these noted that emails and/or calls were conducted to Rep. Jess Stairs. Your efforts have succeeded. When a CHAP board member placed his call, he asked the secretary if she was getting many calls. She responded, "Hundreds!" A hearing is being set to consider the pros and cons of HB 2560. That brings us to the subject of this CHAP E-Alert, a “Call To Action #5” (A Call to Action #4 was passed out at the CHAP Convention, and we will be mailing it by snail mail very soon as well. It relates to encouraging Rep. Jess Stairs and all the Education Committee members over the next month to support HB 2560). This House Education Committee informational hearing is set for Thursday, June 13th at the Forum in Harrisburg, PA. from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. We recommend that you try to get there early. Try for 9:00 AM or sooner. The legislators anticipate so many people that this larger facility was chosen. The legislative chief of staff has asked that those who are in support of the bill wear red (blouse, shirt, dress, tee shirt, sash, or ribbon) at this meeting. CHAP will also pass out red, white and blue "Home Education Works in PA" buttons and a red, white, and blue "I support HB 2560" sticker to wear for those who want them. The large number of homeschoolers in favor of the bill wearing red will have great visual impact. We encourage children to attend if they are able to sit quietly. A hearing of this type is set when there is a lot of interest in a given bill, and the legislators believe there are two opposing factions. It could also be a large majority with a small but vocal opposing faction. We believe that the majority of homeschoolers would like to see HB 2560 passed as it is written, with little or no change. If you desire to see this happen, being in Harrisburg for this hearing would be EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. The hearing is open to the public. Only those on the panels may speak. The audience may listen, but not speak. On rare occasions, they ask for a show of hands from the audience to see who is for or against the bill. We are hoping to have this opportunity. The House Education Committee staff will be choosing the panel. CHAP has submitted the names of people who we think should be on the committee, and the legislators sponsoring the bill are aware of this. They have made suggestions as well. We suggested Brian Ray, PhD, who is the president of NHERI (the National Home Education Research Institute) and Chris Klicka, Esq. from HSLDA or Mike Smith, Esq. and president of HSLDA (Homeschool Legal Defense Association). Our state's HSLDA lawyer, Dee Black was our first choice, but he has to be out of town on a previous commitment. We are very confident of the ability of these gentlemen. The two panels will present the pros and cons of the bill, each in a one and a half hour session, with a break in between. The House Education Committee will be questioning the panelist and will be making decisions regarding the bill. If we hope to get HB 2560 out of committee, we must have a large majority in attendance for this meeting. An e-mail forward came to CHAP, which we are passing on to you. It is from Representative Jess Stairs and reads as follows: You recently contacted my office regarding House Bill 2560, which would change the current Home Education Law. I am writing to inform you that the House Education Committee will be holding an informational meeting on this legislation on Thursday, June 13, 2002, beginning at 10:00 a.m. in auditorium of the Forum Building in Harrisburg. There will be NO votes taken at this meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to obtain information about the bill and its impact on the education community. The meeting will be open to the public if you care to attend and observe. Because of the huge number of people who are interested in this issue, we will not be able to accommodate all requests to speak before the Committee. However, WRITTEN COMMENTS (not more than two pages in length) can be SUBMITTED FOR CONSIDERATION BY the Committee. They should be submitted no later than Thursday, June 6th, to my Harrisburg office at the following address: Honorable Jess Stairs Chairman, House Education Committee Box 202020 - Main Capitol Building Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020 Thank you for contacting me on this important issue. Rep. Jess Stairs Thank you again. We will keep you posted of further developments regarding this next phase. Please be praying about these next two actions: 1) Letters to all education committee members (Call to Action # 4, passed out at the Convention and to come as postal mail soon) 2) Attend the informational hearing in Harrisburg on June 13, 2002 (A Call to Action # 5) The CHAP Board, Bruce and Mary Ann Eagleson Clyde and Pam Gwin Larry and Kim Huber Doug and Nada Rothgaber Jim and Robbie Warren And all of our children, the reason for the journey