By KATHY COX

Like many Georgians, I watched the members of the 48th Brigade Combat Team return home from Iraq with joy in my heart and tears in my eyes.

I felt joy for the families that were reunited. I cried tears for those who would never return to be with their loved ones. These brave men and women are heroes who deserve our love and respect.

That is why I am so pleased that House Bill 984 unanimously passed the House and Senate and will become law in the state of Georgia. This legislation grants public school students five excused absences to spend time with a parent or guardian who is being deployed to or returning from active military service overseas.

I pushed for this change in the law after talking to educators and military families. They were concerned that the children of military families would be penalized if they were taken out of school to spend time with their loved ones.

Two years ago we enacted a tough attendance policy for our public schools and it is showing results. Attendance is up and long-term absences are down. While I believe in this policy, I also believe that there are times when rules and regulations must give way to compassion. This is one of those times.

Our brave soldiers deserve to spend time with their families without worrying that their child might be punished for missing school.

I am grateful to state Rep. Mike Coan, of Lawrenceville, who carried this legislation in the House, and state Senator Ronnie Chance, of Tyrone, who carried it in the Senate. And I am thankful for the support of Gov. Sonny Perdue who signed this legislation on April 28.

HB984 is just a small way that we can show our appreciation to the brave men and women who have been fighting for us overseas.

To all of our soldiers and their families, thank you for the incredible sacrifices you are making on behalf of your country. We are eternally grateful and are behind you all the way.

Kathy Cox, who lives here in Fayette County, is superintendent of the Georgia Department of Education, the top elected education official in the state.

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