July 18, 2014

The Honorable Paul Clymer

Chairman of the House Education Committee
216 Ryan Office Building
PO BOX 202145
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2145

Dear Representative Paul Clymer
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 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. 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 3
rd
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 failied 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 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 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