[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 27, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1330-E1331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          WE THE PEOPLE * * * THE CITIZEN AND THE CONSTITUTION

                                 ______


                         HON. EDWARD J. MARKEY

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 27, 1995
  Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the occasion of the national 
conference in Washington of We the People * * * the Citizen and the 
Constitution to congratulate the teachers and educational 
administrators who have participated in and led this highly effective 
program.
  We the People * * * the Citizen and the Constitution is a program of 
the Center for Civil Education, and is funded by the U.S. Department of 
Education by act of Congress. The program teaches the principles of the 
U.S. Constitution. It does so by engaging students at the upper 
elementary, middle, and high school levels in group research, study and 
debate on the central issues and questions which shaped our 
Constitution.
  Marie Gosnell is a ninth grade civics teacher at Medford High School. 
Her honors class presented their hearing project to parents and 
teachers this past May after finishing six units of the We the People * 
* * national curriculum. Mrs. Gosnell finds it to be, ``among the most 
exciting programs, involving students deeply, preparing them for 
citizenship, and giving them a rich understanding of why our government 
functions as it does.''
  We the People is an example of how coordination and consultation 
among Federal and State education officials and teachers can 

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produce a national program which addresses the fundamental issues of 
civics education. The excitement generated by this program should be 
emphasized, especially in the face of recent attacks by some groups on 
the Department of Education and on any national educational 
coordination or standards in the name of local control.
  The program also builds links between public officials, businesses, 
parents, educators, and students. Former Chief Justice of the Supreme 
Court, the late Warren Burger, called it ``one of the most extensive 
and effective programs for the education of young Americans about our 
constitutional system of government and the principles and values it 
represents.'' I and members of my staff have visited schools to support 
the program's goal of directly involving legislators.
  Once again, I congratulate the organizers, teachers and students of 
the We the People program.


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