Contact: Wesley Strackbein, Vision Forum, 210-340-5250, ext. 222, press@visionforum.org  

SAN ANTONIO, June 29 /Standard Newswire/ -- Vision Forum has announced that Chris Klicka, Senior Counsel for the Home School Legal Defense Association, is the esteemed recipient of the Captain John Smith Quadricenntennial Award.

As thousands cheered in a standing ovation that lasted more than five minutes, Doug Phillips, President of Vision Forum, publicly honored Mr. Klicka with this award on the grounds of Fort Pocahontas during the recent "Jamestown Quadricentennial: A Celebration of Our Providential History."

Phillips commented, "The home school movement has been blessed with many great advocates for freedom, including attorneys like HSLDA's visionary President Mike Farris and organizational leaders such as Mike Smith. But in terms of long-term, roll-up-your-sleeves warfare, Chris Klicka has distinguished himself as the most beloved and singular man in the trenches. For two decades, he has fought state by state across America, as well as country by country around the world, for the right of families to educate their children at home."

The Captain John Smith Quadricentennial Award is a one-time honor given on America's 400th birthday to a man in this generation who embodied the same kind of overcoming spirit amidst difficulties that John Smith exemplified during Jamestown's founding. Bestowed to attorney Chris Klicka during a special ceremony, the award plaque reads in part:

"The Captain John Smith Quadricentennial Award is presented with appreciation to Christopher John Klicka for indefatigable and persevering leadership on a defining issue of our generation. Your stalwart faith through hardship has given hope to millions. Your selfless sacrifice on behalf of home schoolers has brought freedom to families around the globe. And your courageous spirit amidst adversity has forged a legacy which will never be forgotten."

Mr. Klicka remarked, "I am thankful and blessed by the Lord to have been able to serve the home schooling community these last twenty-two years. The honor that I felt in receiving this award was to me like being given a big hug from God."

In 1985, Chris Klicka joined the Home School Legal Defense Association and during his early tenure there led pioneering research on the legality of home schooling in all fifty states. Mr. Klicka has since argued numerous precedent-setting cases and handled scores of administrative appeals on behalf of home schoolers. He has successfully represented thousands of families with their legal conflicts. In 1994, Mr. Klicka was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and though confined to a wheelchair, he has continued to defend the rights of home schoolers even as he has inspired families through his testimony of perseverance through this physical handicap.

"Chris Klicka is a true hero of the home school movement," observed Phillips. "When the history books are written, Chris will be remembered as one of the greatest generals used by the Lord to establish a bulkhead of freedoms for moms and dads across America. His sacrifice and tenacious loyalty to the cause of home school liberty has benefited hundreds of thousands, if not millions."

"We thank God for Chris," continued Phillips, "and we join thousands of Christians around the country in praying that God will give this home school hero and father of seven continued strength amidst weakness as he runs the race set before him."

"I continue to be amazed by God's faithfulness throughout the years as He has delivered thousands of families out of legal trouble," Klicka remarked. "When I began work at HSLDA, home schooling was legal in only about five states, and now -- by God's grace -- it is legal in all fifty states."

To learn more about the work of the Home School Legal Defense Association, visit hslda.org

To interview Doug Phillips regarding Chris Klicka's receipt of the Captain John Smith Quadricenntennial Award, contact Wesley Strackbein by e-mail at press@visionforum.org or by phone at (210) 340-5250, ext. 222.