[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 57 (Tuesday, April 30, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4443-S4444]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      WE THE PEOPLE * * * THE CITIZEN AND THE CONSTITUTION PROGRAM

 Mr. SIMON. Mr. President, over the past few days, more than 
1,250 students from 50 States and the District of Columbia have been in 
Washington to compete in the national finals of the We the People * * * 
the Citizen and the Constitution Program. I am pleased to honor the 
advanced placement government class from Maine South High School in 
Park Ridge, IL, for representing Illinois and finishing in the top 10 
in the national finals.
  The distinguished members of the team are: Jeni Aris, Laura Batt, 
Stephanie Chen, Wesley Crampton, Sarah Crawford, Bryan Dayton, Vic De 
Martino, Bill Doukas, Jonathan Dudlak, Thomas Falk, Graham Fisher, Mark 
Iwaszko, Jessica Jakubanis, Hellin Jang, Chris Kiepura, Denise Knipp, 
Antoine Mickiewicz, Timmy Paschke, Gregory Reuhs, Kate Rowland, Chris 
Ryan, Brian Shields, Tracy Stankiewicz, Laurie Strotman, Tom 
Tsilipetros, Erica Vassilos, Walter Walczak, Cyrus Wilson, Kara Wipf, 
and Brian Wolfe.
  I would also like to recognize Patton Feichter, their outstanding 
teacher, who can be credited with much of the team's success. The 
district coordinator, Alice Horstman, and the State coordinator, 
Carolyn Pereira, also devoted a great deal of time and were integral to 
the team's achievement.
  The We the People * * * the Citizen and the Constitution Program is 
the

[[Page S4444]]

Nation's most comprehensive educational program, developed specifically 
to educate youth about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The 3-
day national competition simulates a congressional hearing in which 
students' oral presentations are judged on the ability to apply 
constitutional principles to both historical and contemporary issues.
  Administered by the Center for Civic Education, the We the People * * 
* Program, now in its ninth academic year, has reached more than 70,400 
teachers and 22.6 million students nationwide. Congressional members 
and staff enhance the program by discussing current constitutional 
issues with students and teachers.
  This extraordinary program is an excellent way for students to gain 
firsthand knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and assess its impact on 
both history and our lives. I commend these students and wish them 
success in their future endeavors.

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