Home Education Week

Dave Heineman is the governor of the state of Nebraska. I have just today learned of this man, and I like him already. On March 13, 2008, he signed a proclamation declaring the week of March 30-April 5 Nebraska Home Education Week. It is a week set aside to honor and recognize home education in Nebraska.

Here is the proclamation:

WHEREAS, The State of Nebraska desires to promote excellence in education; and

WHEREAS, Dozens of studies confirm that children who are educated at home score significantly above average on national achievement tests; and

WHEREAS, Studies demonstrate that home-educated students excel in college; and

WHEREAS, Home education has a long history of success in this country, helping to produce such notable Americans as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson,James Madison, John Quincy Adams, Patrick Henry, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, John Marshall, Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, Booker T. Washington, Thomas Edison, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Roosevelt,Mark Twain, Irving Berlin, Rembrandt Peale, George Patton, Douglas MacArthur, John J. Pershing, Standing Bear, Roscoe Pound, Edward Creighton, Willa Cather, William Jennings Bryan and Bertram Goodhue, architect of the Nebraska State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, Home education strengthens the family and promotes the highest standards of honesty and morality, which are essential elements in the preservation of a free society; and

WHEREAS, Home education promotes good citizenship and positive socialization; and

WHEREAS, The State of Nebraska recognizes the fundamental right of parents to direct the education and upbringing of their children; and

WHEREAS, Home educators view the cost of their children’s education as their own responsibility and do not add that cost to the burden of the state; and

WHEREAS, It is appropriate that home educators be recognized and commended for their dedication to excellence in education and for their significant and vital contributions to our society.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Dave Heineman, Governor of the State of Nebraska, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM the week of March 30 – April 5, 2008, as NEBRASKA HOME EDUCATION WEEK and I do hereby urge all citizens to take due note of the observance.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have here unto set my hand, and cause the Great Seal of the State of Nebraska to be affixed this Thirteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord Two Thousand Eight.

The governor of Florida, Charlie Crist, signed a similar proclamation on the 29th day of February. It is the second time Governor Charlie Crist has done this. Click here to read about it. This excites and encourages me, especially in light of the recent homeschool happenings in California.

I don't reside in either Florida or Nebraska, but I am thankful that those states are standing up for home education. Thank you Governor Dave Heineman and Governor Charlie Crist for believing in your people and thank you for your dedication to the family. My hope and prayer is that the great State of Washington will follow these incredible examples.