Virginia Homeschool | February 1, 2007 HEAV Legislative Update

Legislative Update

February 1, 2007

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New Meeting Location for Day at the Capitol!

The response to Day at the Capitol in Richmond on February 13 has been so great—and our waiting list has grown so long—that we’ve moved the morning event to the Marriott Hotel in order to accommodate everyone!

Yes, that’s the same Marriott Hotel across from the Richmond Convention Center where we hold the HEAV State Convention & Educational Fair. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and Day at the Capitol will begin at 9:00 a.m. in the Grand Ballroom on the first floor of the Marriott.

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Transportation

The Marriott Hotel (500 E. Broad Street and 5th Street) is four blocks from Capitol Square. You can park in the parking lots or garages adjacent to the Marriott Hotel and walk to the Capitol for the afternoon events. Or, if you prefer, you can take one of two tour buses reserved for our event. HEAV will provide continuous bus transportation every 15 minutes between 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. from the Marriott Hotel to the Capitol and back.

“Patrick Henry” Makes Virginia History Come Alive

During our morning session at the Marriott, “Patrick Henry” (a.k.a. renowned, historical interpreter Michael Wells) will tell us about his early years, his education, and the influence of others on his life. He’ll discuss the events that led up to his famous “Liberty or Death” speech at nearby St. John’s Church during the Second Virginia Convention in 1775.

Afternoon Reenactment at St. John’s Church

Sit in the pews with "Patrick Henry," "Richard Henry Lee," "George Washington," and seven other "Founding Fathers" as living-history interpreters and professional actors in 1770’s attire portray ten of the Founding Fathers who participated in the convention debates at St. John’s culminating with Patrick Henry’s “Liberty or Death” speech.

At 3:00 p.m. HEAV has scheduled this private reenactment of the historical debates at St. John’s Church. This is an amazing immersion experience into an 18th-century historical event. You are there—possibly sitting next to or behind "Richard Henry Lee" or "Thom Jefferson"—as the reenactors carry on their debate for the defense and liberty of Virginia.

St. John's Church in Richmond is famous as a living history memorial to American liberty. Virginia colonial leaders, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Nelson, Jr., and Patrick Henry, met there in the spring of 1775 to avoid the wrath of Royal Governor Lord Dunmore in Williamsburg.

The Second Virginia Convention became the setting for Patrick Henry's bold call for arming the colony of Virginia. Henry proposed that a well-regulated militia was necessary for the safety and security of a free government, and he advocated putting Virginia in a posture of defense.

Henry's famous speech in defense of liberty occurred on March 23, 1775, inside St. John’s Church. Henry's timely resolutions passed by a narrow margin and the American Revolution began the following month when shots were fired at Lexington and Concord. Members of the Second Virginia Convention went on to play leading roles in the formation of the United States. George Washington became Commanding General of the Continental Army, Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, and Patrick Henry became the first Governor of the independent Commonwealth of Virginia

St. John’s Church Location and Seating

St. John’s Church is located 12 blocks from the Capitol at 2401 E. Broad and 25th Streets (on the other side of I-95). The church sanctuary will hold 400 people. Because of the number of people, it is necessary for each family or group to use their own transportation from the Marriott Hotel parking areas to St. John’s Church. There is free parking on the surrounding streets at St. John’s.

The reenactment will last 45 minutes. It is very important that you arrive by 2:45 p.m. for seating. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. After the church is full, no one else can be admitted.

Registration

Cost
This HEAV-sponsored event is open to all homeschoolers. The cost is only $20 per family. (Sorry, family friends do not count as family members.) Due to limited seating, advance reservations and payment are required. To register, call HEAV at 804-278-9200.

Already registered?
If you have registered by phone with our office staff, and they have taken your payment information, it is not necessary to call to confirm your reservation. We have reserved seats in your name. However, if you find you will not be able to fulfill your reservations, please call our office to release your seats. Payments will be processed and refunds cannot be issued after February 6.

On our waiting list?
If you are on our waiting list, you should have received a follow-up call or e-mail from the office requesting information to finalize your reservation. Please call the HEAV office immediately at 804-278-9200 to complete your reservation. We will now be taking new reservations to fill the remaining seats.

Not registered yet?
If you have not registered yet, call our office at 804-278-9200 as soon as possible. We expect the remaining seats to fill up fast!

DATC Schedule
Morning Schedule:
8:30-9:00 a.m.
Registration at the Marriott

9:00-11:30 a.m.
Morning Teaching Session:
-"Patrick Henry" Presentation
-Explanation of Important Bills
-Guest Speakers: Legislators, Attorney General, Lt. Governor
-Mock General Assembly

Afternoon Schedule:
11:30 – 4:00 p.m.
-Lunch on Your Own
-General Assembly Session on Closed-circuit TV
-Capitol Grounds Scavenger Hunt
-Legislator Visits
-Capitol Grounds Tours*
-Executive Mansion Tours*
-Visit City Hall Observation Deck (beside Library of Va.) Free

3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
-Reenactment at St. John’s Church**
2401 E. Broad St. at 24th St.
Seating begins at 2:45 p.m.

Tour Information:
*Capitol grounds and Executive Mansion tour tickets will be available at the HEAV registration table in the Marriott Hotel. Because of limited space in each time slot, free tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

**St. John’s Church reenactment is limited to the first 400 guests. Seating will begin at 2:45 p.m. You must provide your own transportation to the church. Free parking is available.

This will be a very exciting Day at the Capitol! You can find more information: directions, restaurant locations, parking information, dress, weather, etc., at the HEAV website. If you have other questions, call our office at 804-278-9200 or e-mail me at support@heav.org. I hope to see you in Richmond on February 13!

Blessings,

Yvonne Bunn, HEAV Director of Government Affairs

Home Educators Association of Virginia

e-mail: legislative@heav.org

phone: 804-278-9200

web: http://www.heav.org