Yesterday, I spoke to Homeschool kids in Santa Fe at the Capitol.

But that was after we got there.  

I was scheduled to fly my Mooney up the morning of the speech.  However, the weather was very uncooperative, so we drove the afternoon before.  Rain was saturating all of southeast NM.   By the time we got to Roswell, the rain had turned to a slushy snow.  By Vaughn, it was a cold snow and the highway was covered with snow and ice.  Reports revealed that Interstate 40 had been closed at Moriarty.  Always, the decision is whether to "press on" or turn back.  The organizer of the homeschool event was encouraging and said the roads were still passable in Santa Fe.  So, we pressed on.  At Clines Corners we found heavier accumulations of snow and 285 becomes a two lane highway.  Another decision point.  We pressed on.

Sure enough, the snow began to ease as we neared Santa Fe.  We pulled into the Holiday Inn at 9:30 pm.  

The next day I was greeted by kids coming up and shaking my hand and "giving me five" and hitting knuckles.  That reception made the trip in the snow worth the effort. 

I love working with and speaking to kids.  These homeschool kids are no exception.  They are bright, inquisitive and full enthusiasm.  I spoke for a few minutes and then took questions.

One youngster asked if prayer played a part in my life and during my time in Congress. Yes, my wife and I pray almost every morning.  My constant prayer is that I will have knowledge, understanding, and discernment and that I will be steadfast in my faith and values. I think we as humans have messed the country up and now must have divine intervention.

I encouraged the kids to dream big.  Then mentioned the teenage girl who is sailing solo around the world right now and another who is about to start.  The second girl's brother last year became the youngest person in history to sail around the world solo.  Those are pretty big dreams.

Another asked what they could do to make things better.  The beginning point is our homes and families.  When families live right and make good decisions, the country thrives.  Kids affect this the same way the rest of us do.  Drugs, teen pregnancy, crime...these are all things that hurt the nation no matter the age of the individual.  

 "The hand that rocks the cradle steadies the nation."   It is one of my wife's favorite quotes and is ultimately the answer to how to "fix" the country.

Strong families create strong individuals, strong individuals create strong countries. 

So when I get the ultimate question, "What do I think about Homeschool?"  My answer is always the same.  It depends on the family, on the hand rocking the cradle.  If they are engaged and disciplined it is great.  If the family is not engaged, it is no better than a failing school.  All experts agree that parental involvement is the key to curing the problems with our schools.  Homeschooling is 100% parental involvement. 

With the tools available on the internet, there is no reason for parents to send kids to school without being able to read.  The same is true of math.  If parents would work more with their children, our schools would be more successful.  Homeschooling simply extends that concept through the rest of the disciplines.  Parents should be free to make choices about the education their children receive.   

I have heard the objection that Homeschool kids are not socially adjusted.  What???  My daughter hated to send her kids to any outside daycare when they were younger.  She could tell the difference in a half day in that environment.   The same answer can be given here.  When parents work with their children, they are extremely well adjusted and mix well with people of any age.  Some parents really invest time with their kids and I see an excellence that is hard to achieve in public schools.

After an invigorating hour taking questions, we took a break and gathered down in the Rotunda for a proclamation and to have public comments.  I distributed Constitutions to the students, gave hearty encouragement to the parents and challenged them to be fighters for the core values we share...faith, family, freedom and service.