January 8, 2015

The Honorable Stan Saylor Chairman of the House Education Committee Harrisburg, PA 17120-2145

Dear Representative Stan Saylor

My name is Hamlet Garcia and I am a father, husband and longtime Pennsylvania resident First, I want to thank you for your commitment to the children and families of Pennsylvania. I am writing this letter requesting your support in the passage of an Educational Bill HB 952. An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in pupils and attendance, further providing for residence and right to

free school privileges and for suspension and expulsion

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=h&type=b&b

n=952

Since 2011, I became a strong children and family advocate supporting and advocating for the

educational and civil rights of children, regardless of socioeconomic status or there 5 Digit Zip Code

Why did I become an advocate? I do not want to see another family arrested for allegedly stealing a public education. School residency issues should be handled as civil administrative matters.

In 2011, my wife and I were separated for a few months. My wife and daughter moved to Montgomery County with her father. We reconciled and as a result my wife and daughter moved back to Philadelphia school district two months before the school year ended. Please note, Montgomery County is 2 blocks away from my home in Philadelphia. .

Later that year, my wife and I were arrested and charged with, Felony of 3rd

degree , which carries a maximum sentence of 7 years in jail, for stealing 2 months worth of Kindergarten education for my five year old daughter On our trial date of 01/28/2014, during the jury selection, I was informed that during the questions to the jury selection, 3 of the prospective jurors thought that my wife and I were illegal and undocumented immigrants. Stealing services from US taxpayers. Then, I understood that there was a possibility of being found guilty not for the content of my acts, but judged by the color of mine skin and my last name.

I had to make a huge sacrifice, on behalf of my wife and daughter, I had to

plead guilty to stealing a public education paid over $10,700 dollars in

restitution for two months of kindergarten education and a $100 dollar fine More information about our case on this link National Fox News

http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2014/01/28/couple-could-end-up-behind-bars-if-found-guilty-sending-kids-to-school-outside As a result, I am writing this letter requesting your support in the passage of an Educational Bill HB 952 to stop the arrest of parents charged with felony larceny for stealing of an education for their child or grandchildren.

There is a solution that benefits all sides! This can be done at NO cost to Pennsylvania taxpayers Furthermore, Pennsylvania already had in place a civil and administrative remedy to address school/zip-code residency violations, they just failed to enforce it. Stat. (24 Pa. Cons. Stat. 13-1302). This process issues a fine and a civil remedy for school residency violations therefore the rush to heavy handed prosecution is unnecessary. Arresting parents for allegedly stealing a public education. Does not address the educational best of interests of children and their familial situations are being disregarded. States' attorneys are rushing to criminalize matters which should first be subjected to careful and thoughtful administrative review.

Therefore, on behalf of my wife Olesia Garcia and I, Hamlet Garcia and other parents and

families of Pennsylvania we respectfully ask you to: support in the passage of an Educational Bill

HB 952.

Rationale: There is already a Pennsylvania infraction statute that allows for a fine and reimbursement of school tuition. All communities within Pennsylvania are facing the impacts of this education and economic crisis, but arresting parents, the primary care givers of children for theft of an education will not improve our educational and economic challenges.

We thank you in advance for making sound, fiscally responsive public policy that protects the

basic human rights of all Pennsylvania citizens, especially the most vulnerable

The future of America's economic strength is determined each day in classrooms across our Nation

Sincerely,

Hamlet Garcia