Amazing. Inspiring. Unbelievable. Those were the feelings that I had as we filed into the gallerys in the State Capitol Rotunda with 4000 other homeschoolers. 4000 well-behaved, well-dressed, and yes- well educated homeschoolers. Only 66 were able to fit into the hearing room, so the rest of us waited in the halls. Singing filled the entire building- God Bless America, America the Beautiful, Amazing Grace, and finally the Doxology. Beautiful music. Harmonies floating to the top of the dome.
We moved over to the left, when security asked us to make way for Senators. We moved over to the right when the tour guide needed to bring his group through. And we all became silent when Scott Woodruff came out of the hearing and told us that if we could keep quiet, the committee had agreed to allow the doors to the hearing to be opened. For the first time in history, they agreed to leave the doors open. I have never seen a more well-behaved and polite group.
Despite our best efforts, the bill was not withdrawn. There was much discussion in the hearing about those homeschoolers who are "falling through the cracks". I submit that homeschoolers don't homeschool so that their kids can stay out of school, I believe this to be a truancy issue in the government school. Parents who withdraw their kids and try for legal truancy.
For now, the Illinois Senate Education Committee did not vote on SB 136. However, the bill was not withdrawn, and Sen. Maloney indicates that he would like to amend the bill and still present it.
I think the guys in the picture above, would approve of what we did today! (Most especially George Washington!)
We will continue to pray for the legislators and that God will intervene in the situation. To Him be the glory for the wondrous showing of beautiful and godly people today!
1 comment:
That was an amazing day! Sorry I couldn't spot you among the 4,000 people who were there!
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