[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 10591]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       SUPPORT THE ROMEIKE FAMILY

  (Mr. HULTGREN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, one of the most treasured privileges of 
parents living in the United States is the freedom to choose the means 
to best educate their children. For many families, including my own, 
that choice is home schooling.
  Unfortunately, for many parents living in countries where freedom of 
choice and expression is supposedly valued, home schooling can entail 
punitive fines, jail time, and even seizure of their children.
  The Romeike family fled Germany after facing persecution for home 
schooling their six children and were granted asylum here in the United 
States. Now the Romeikes face deportation unless they are granted a 
hearing before the full Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and receive a 
favorable decision.
  Mr. Speaker, no parent should be faced with imprisonment, fines, or 
removal of their children simply for choosing to educate their children 
at home. I call on the Obama administration to persuade Germany to 
respect international human rights law that recognizes the authority of 
parents to direct their children's education. I also call on the 
administration to grant asylum to the Romeikes so they can be afforded 
the privilege our country offers to educate their children freely in 
the manner they choose.

                          ____________________