Whereas it is a fact recognized by the Supreme Court of these United States that children are not the mere creatures of the state, and;
Whereas it is the first responsibility of parents to care for their children and that part of this responsibility is the training and educating of their children, and;
Whereas we recognize the high duty and right of all parents to direct the education of their children without unreasonable restrictions by the state, and;
Whereas we affirm the fundamental right of parents to provide for their children religious training without interference from the state, and;
Whereas it is a violation of the most basic concept of liberty for the state to standardize children by forcing upon them and their parents state-directed instruction;
WE, THE MEMBERS OF APHEA, DO HEREBY DECLARE:
- Our intention to execute faithfully our parental duty to the best of our God-given abilities;
- Our intention to cooperate together to attain excellence in private education for our children;
- Our intention to resist any attempt by the government of these United States or the State of Alaska to disallow the freedom to exercise our parental rights in education; and
- Our willingness to collaborate to improve the climate of educational freedom in Alaska through public information as well as through legislative means.