Earl Hutto: “I rise today in support of the Armey amendment. I have heard from many of my constituents in the Florida Panhandle who…”

“I rise today in support of the Armey amendment. I have heard from many of my constituents in the Florida Panhandle who adamantly oppose the vague language in H.R. 6 that could put home and private schools in jeopardy. A clarifying amendment is vitally necessary in order to codify what we as the Congress of the United States believe; that the home and private schools of our Nation must be left well alone, as they receive no funding from the Federal Government. As a former educator, it is one of my strongest beliefs that parents should be involved in the education of their children. It has been found that a lack of parental involvement is at the root of the problems presently occurring in our Nation's schools. Why should those who choose to take an active role in their child's development be penalized? These parents have the constitutional right as Americans to educate their children in the manner they so choose. Congress should not stand in the way of teaching America's youth, particularly when prayer in schools has been eradicated and many parents home school their children for religious reasons. I do agree that it is preferable to have public school educators teach in the subject area for which they are certified. However, not at the expense of home and private schools. It is common sense to exempt these schools from certification and Government regulation.”