WHEREAS, It is important for the Tri-District Republican Club to clearly articulate the beliefs of its members, and to guard against the infringement of the inalienable rights of our citizens and all Americans;
WHEREAS, The members of the Tri-District Republican Club uphold the National Republican Platform which states, “Parents are a child’s first and foremost educators, and have primary responsibility for the education of their children. Parents have a right to direct their children’s education, care, and upbringing. We support a constitutional amendment to protect that right from interference by states, the federal government, or international bodies such as the United Nations.” (Republican Platform 2016, pg 33, Education);
WHEREAS, “The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that parents possess the “fundamental right” to “direct the upbringing and education of their children.” Furthermore, the Court declared that “The 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.”. (Pierce v. Society of Sisters, 268 U.S. 510, 534:35) The Supreme Court criticized a state legislature for trying to interfere “with the power of parents to control the education of their own.” (Meyer v. Nebraska, 262 U.S. 390, 402.) In Meyer, the Supreme Court held that the right of parents to raise their children free from unreasonable state interferences is one of the unwritten “liberties” protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. (262 U.S. 399). https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/268/510/case.html;
WHEREAS, In recognition of both the right and responsibility of parents to control their children’s education, the Court has stated, “It is cardinal with us that the custody, care and nurture of the child reside first in the parents, whose primary function and freedom include preparation for the obligations the State can neither supply nor hinder.” (Prince v. Massachusetts, 321 U.S. 158);
WHEREAS, it is illegal for states to write any law that conflicts with the United States Constitution;
WHEREAS, Maryland Constitution Declaration of Rights, Article 44 states “that the provisions of the Constitution of the United States and of this State, apply, as well in time of war, as in time of peace; and any departure therefrom, or violation thereof, under plea of necessity or any other plea, is subversive of good government, and tends to anarchy and despotism”;
WHEREAS, the Maryland Constitution Declaration of Rights, Article 45 state, “this enumeration of capital rights shall not be construed to impair or deny others retained by the people;
WHEREAS, the Maryland government already demonstrated what it believed to be “convincing evidence” of a “compelling interest” during Covid, which resulted in illegally moving to mandate that children wear masks in school and be vaccinated;
WHEREAS, “convincing evidence” is not defined and is subjective. State or political subdivisions may declare a compelling government interest on any subject (i.e. in regard to abortion, finger printing, gender changes);
WHEREAS, This ACT concerning Family Law – Fundamental Parental Rights, which attempts to strengthen Parental Rights, actually has the opposite effect by giving State and political subdivisions authority (which the Federal and Maryland Constitutions and case law have settled they do not have), to infringe on the rights of parents when the State or political subdivision compiles and believes evidence that necessitates a compelling government interest;
RESOLVED, That legislators pull and not bring to a vote SB 566 (and companion Bill, HB 666)
RESOLVED, We these people respectfully request that the petitioners of SB0566 (and companion Bill HB 666) reconsider bringing this illegal action against long standing parental rights AND halt any further action to invoke said legislation in respect of citizens’ inalienable, Constitutional, parental rights.
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