Take Action: Laying the Groundwork for the Amendment

Right now, the Parental Rights Foundation is laying the groundwork to reintroduce the Parental Rights Amendment (PRA) in Congress later this summer.

Last week, we were commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s touchstone parental rights case, Pierce v. Society of Sisters, which famously held that “[t]he child is not the mere creature of the State; those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right, coupled with the high duty, to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations.” 

During those commemorating events, we were networking with likeminded champions of parental rights—the sort of parental rights advocates who would be in DC to celebrate the Pierce decision in the first place. We were strategizing with allies, making plans for the Amendment’s introduction coming in just a few months.

We were also on Capitol Hill, educating lawmakers on the important role parents play in the lives of their children and the pressing need to preserve that role in the text of the U.S. Constitution. And it was an exciting and highly productive trip! 

Ordinarily, when we visit Capitol Hill, we ask to meet with the congressman, but end up meeting with their staff instead. The actual lawmakers are often very busy and their time is at a premium. If we can connect with a constituent, the congressman might “pop in” for a couple of minutes, but that’s usually the best one can hope for.

Not last week.

In the offices we visited last week, we were able to speak directly with five of the six congressmen. (We arrived at the sixth office just as a vote was being taken on the floor, so that congressman was in the House chamber doing his job.) I believe we were truly blessed to arrive when we did and find those lawmakers able and willing to meet with us. 

So, five voting members of Congress took the time to sit down and talk with us about parental rights and why an Amendment is needed to protect them. Most importantly, every one of them was friendly toward our cause and appreciated what we are striving to do, putting parents back in the driver’s seat when it comes to the upbringing and care of their children.

These congressmen from Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia, are now ready to sign on as cosponsors of the Parental Rights Amendment when Rep. Mary Miller introduces it later this summer.

But that is only the beginning. If we are to get the PRA into a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee (my goal is to see a subcommittee hearing scheduled next summer), we’re going to need a lot more cosponsors than just these.

That’s where you come in.

First, if you can donate to the Parental Rights Foundation, even a few dollars will help in covering the cost of DC trips like the one we took last week. These trips help us speak directly to lawmakers and bring them onboard the cosponsors list.

And most importantly, we need to prepare for getting new cosponsors on board. Over the next few weeks, we’re going to lay out how you can do that by visiting your congressman while they’re home on the August Recess. 

But even before that, we need to begin now to grow our network so that more such meetings can take place, and so that more congressmen will hear from us—from you and me!

So, please take a moment and consider: Who do you know who would reach out to their congressman to support this crucial role of parents in the lives of their children? Think family, friends, old college buddies, work colleagues, and those at the clubs or events your child attends. Who would take action to get their congressman on board with the Parental Rights Amendment?

Then, send this email—or send your own personal message!—asking them to sign up for our email newsletter so that they can be part of those August meetings, as well. New supporters can sign up here. (Or just click the “Subscribe” link on our home page.)

It has been a while since we highlighted the Amendment. But with the current leadership in Congress, I believe we can further the discussion with a hearing next year if we can just get enough sponsors on board. What’s more, I believe we’re just one or two Democrat sponsors away from a real shot at passage. 

Our work begins with this very exciting summer ahead.

So, please take action today to support the effort and grow our voice by enlisting your friends to join us.

Together, we can make a lasting change to protect children by empowering parents through the Parental Rights Amendment to the Constitution.

Sincerely,

 

Michael T. Ramey
President