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January 8, 2015

The Honorable Jim Roe Buck

Chairman of the House Education Committee

Harrisburg, PA 17120-2145

Dear Representative Jim Roe Buck

My name is Hamlet Garcia and I am a father, husband and longtime Pennsylvania residentFirst, 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 2341.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=2013&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=23

41

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. Pleasenote, 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

In 2013, I had to make a huge sacrifice, on behalf of my wife and daughter, I had to plead guilty to

stealing a public education, pay 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 2341

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-

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2013&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=2341http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2013&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=2341http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2013&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=2341http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2014/01/28/couple-could-end-up-behind-bars-if-found-guilty-sending-kids-to-school-outsidehttp://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2014/01/28/couple-could-end-up-behind-bars-if-found-guilty-sending-kids-to-school-outsidehttp://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2014/01/28/couple-could-end-up-behind-bars-if-found-guilty-sending-kids-to-school-outsidehttp://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2014/01/28/couple-could-end-up-behind-bars-if-found-guilty-sending-kids-to-school-outsidehttp://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2014/01/28/couple-could-end-up-behind-bars-if-found-guilty-sending-kids-to-school-outsidehttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2013&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=2341http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2013&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=2341

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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 2341.

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 willnot 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 arcia

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