Report from Jefferson City

The Missouri State Capitol.

Background of Today's Rally, from the Families for Home Education website:

Details and Results of May 14, 2009 Rally and Legislative Alert on Senate Bill 291

"Late afternoon on May 13, 2009, due only to the Grace of God, FHE’s newest Regional Director was listening to the Mo House debate a bill of interest. After the debate was done, she continued to listen and learned of a change to Missouri’s “Home School” law. She alerted FHE’s Executive Director, who immediately called FHE’s lobbyist. The change would have allowed the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to monitor and regulate home schools during high school, and would have controlled curriculum and when a student was no longer under the statute.

"FHE and HSLDA coordinated, sending out alerts within minutes of each other. The alerts were forwarded and the FHE Board and many of our families changed plans and arranged to be in Jefferson City on Thursday, May 14. Meanwhile, our lobbyist (the ONLY registered home school lobbyist in Jefferson City) worked late into the night hammering out a “fix.”

"On May 14, the weather was perfect, and an estimated 2000 home schoolers were on the front lawn of the Capitol at 1 pm. (The Kansas City Star article says “hundreds,” but I guess 20 hundred is “hundreds.” The Star also misrepresents what the final bill does.) After opening with prayer, the crowd was briefed on what the current status was for the bill, then Kerry Messer, FHE’s lobbyist, explained the compromise amendment to which all had agreed. The House sponsor apologized for any problem his language caused home educators, as that was never his intent. He also promised the assembled crowd that if our “fix” was not adopted, he would pull the bill, killing it for 2009. About 1:30 pm, we began a “walk around the legislature.” Parading all 2000 home educators thru the Capitol took over one hour! About 2:45 pm, SB 291 was introduced, amended (as promised) and passed. Later in the evening of the 14th, the Senate passed it, and it is on its way to the Governor’s desk. (We also got language that clarifies that the county prosecutor is the ONLY person who can review home school records.)

"Several legislators remarked that they had never seen such a large group, and the capitol police said they had never seen such a respectful protest! Thank you to all who came, to all who couldn’t but prayed, to Sheryl Schmidt, Kerry Messer, Scott Woodruff (of HSLDA) and to all the FHE Directors, support group leaders and faithful supporters who passed the word. You made this happen, and the Lord has blessed your efforts."


Walking to the place of action.


People were already gathering when we arrived.


Some Serven and Saffa Sisters.


Congregating on the front steps and lawn.


Talking with friends from church. Probably 60% of our church families were represented.


Crowds getting thicker.


Talking with a lobbyist.

This lobbyist had tears in her eyes as she remarked, "I am so amazed!! We work for months to plan a rally, and hardly anyone attends--and this!! So many, many people! And not even 24 hours notice!! The Lord has been so gracious!! "


Getting ready to start.


Pressing in to hear better.


The megaphone wasn't cooperating, so the old fashioned method of amplification was utilized. : )

A time of prayer, explaining the bill and proposed amendment, introductions to key players in the last 24 hours, hearing the stories of the Lord's faithfulness, meeting the author of the bill who is incidentally on the 'other' side, and hearing him explain they had entirely overlooked that this could affect homeschooling, and they wanted to continue supporting this aspect of liberty.


A group several thousand strong.


Instructions from Kerry Messer, our home-school lobbyist.


Starting to move inside.


Our first view of the inside of the building.


Posing on the steps inside.


The ceiling—wow.


Friends from church.


Making their way indoors.


Columns and carvings.


Stained glass ceiling.


We were tickled to run into the Nisbett family!


Thousands lapping the corridors around the house and senate chambers.


The door to the house.


Peeking through the window. Later, we slipped into the gallery to listen.


The view from the 4th floor.


Looking down on the throngs of people.


Peeking down into the library . . .


. . . and these amazing bookcases!!!


All around the walls were displays from each 'class' [unsure of term] of senators and representatives.


The Bringe family, friends from church.


The senate was in recess when we made it to that end of the building, so the doorkeeper said we might take pictures.


The Senate Doorkeeper.

The Doorkeeper was a wonderful storyteller and told us tales of the building of the capitol in 1917, when he, umm, was alive and had definite opinions on the building of it. Our curiosity was piqued.

Turns out, the gentleman had taught school starting at 19 years of age, taught for 50 years, retired at 70, serving at some point in an appointed position working with education, then was called out of retirement back to work the floor of the senate, did that for 14 years, then 7 years ago decided he didn't want to be on his feet so often, so moved up to the visitor galleries. : )

Yes, he is 93 years old, and still going strong.


The doorkeeper told us the stories behind all the murals in the chamber.


Also, he related how the different elements were chosen to decorate the Senate Chamber.


Our friendly guide. : )


We heard the vote was called for our bill and rushed over . . . but the galleries were full!


We tried to listen through the crack in the door. Eventually we were able to acquire seats.

By the Lord's good providence, the bill was amended as we hoped!! Praise God. So, if it passes, it will be good, and if it doesn't pass, it will also be good. [Editor's Note: Update . . . the bill and our proposed amendment, all passed in good order.]


Peter Bringe salutes the homeschoolers who are now leaving with a impromptu fife concert.


The Serven Clan on the capitol steps, listening to the fife and visiting.


Posing on the steps of the capitol.


Architectural accents.


Lots of steps to carry a stroller down!


Drewster.


Heading back to the trusty ol' van.


A pretty brick church.


Explaining the intricacies of the governmental process in a hopefully easy to understand form.