PURCELLVILLE, VA—With a backdrop of President Clinton’s controversial China trip and the United Auto Workers’ strike against General Motors, home school students from across the country battled over a tough debate resolution: “That Congress should enact laws which discourage the relocation of U.S. businesses to foreign countries.”

     The first and second place teams came from California. Debating partners Joseph Rose, 14, from San Jose, and Janai Hess, 16, from Napa, defeated the 28 other debate teams from across the country. In their final round victory they faced Joseph’s brother, John Peter Rose, 13, and his debate partner, John Gabriel Ballard, 17, also from San Jose. John Peter Rose and Ballard finished second.

     The two-day event was held this past Friday and Saturday in Purcellville, Virginia, about 50 miles west of Washington, D.C. The debate was sponsored by the Purcellville-based Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA).

     Michael Farris, the president of the Home School Legal Defense Association, pointed out that the debate resolution, selected more than a year ago, was nonetheless highly relevant and timely. “In the atmosphere of current trade discussions our topic gave contestants something to really argue about. We expect next year’s topic, ‘Resolved: That the United States should significantly change the rules governing federal campaign finances’—will provide another significant topic for top-notch debaters.”

     The annual event is the only national debate for home school students. Students from California, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, New Jersey, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Wisconsin participated.