PURCELLVILLE, VA—Home schooled Californians Joseph Rose, 15, San Jose, and teammate Janai Hess, 17, Napa, defeated 39 other debate teams from across the country to become the 1999 national home school debate champions. It was a repeat of their 1998 championship performance.     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).     Californians walked away with other top honors, as all three of the top debate teams and the top three speakers are residents of the Golden State. Coming in second were Thane Rehn, 17, Salinas, and Chris Stollar, 14, San Jose. Third place went to John Peter Rose, 14, San Jose and John Gabriel Ballard, 18, San Jose.     Michael Farris, the president of HSLDA, explained that the keys to a successful debate tournament are enthusiastic participants and a highly relevant debate resolution. “The preparation of the debate teams was impressive. We commend all the participants for doing the hard work required to make to the national tournament. As for the timeliness of this year’s debate, the resolution speaks for itself.” The 1999 national debate resolution was “Resolved: That the United States should substantially change the rules governing federal campaign finances.”     HSLDA’s National Debate Tournament is the only such event for home school students. Participants hailed from Alabama, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington.     The 1998 resolution was “Resolved: That Congress should enact laws which discourage the relocation of U.S. businesses to foreign countries.” Next year’s will give debaters an opportunity to attack or defend the national income tax: “Resolved: That the Sixteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution should be repealed.”     For information about the HSLDA National Debate Tournament in 2000, please contact the Home School Legal Defense Association at (540) 338-5600.

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