[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E673]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        THE 1996 NATIONAL FINALS

                                 ______


                             HON. ED PASTOR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 30, 1996

  Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, from April 27 to April 29, 1996, more than 
1,300 students from 50 States and the District of Columbia competed in 
the national finals of the We the People * * * The Citizen and the 
Constitution Program. I am proud to announce that a class from Nogales 
High School represented Arizona's Second Congressional District. These 
young scholars worked diligently to reach the national finals by 
winning the State competition in Arizona.
  The distinguished members of the team representing Arizona are: 
Veneranda Aguirre, Victor Ahumada, Gerritt Bake, Melinda Bejarano, 
Hector Ceballos, Karina Celaya, Chris Chapman, Micheal Cooper, Lily 
Courtland, Odette Felix, Tadeo Garcia, Carlos Gonzalez, Dino Hainline, 
Jacob Kory, Aishah Levine, Melissa Leyva, Marco Lopez, Danny Mandel, 
Hector Martinez, Miguel Montiel, Loren Pruzin, Daniel Rodriquez, Peter 
South, Isreal Valenzuela, Alberto Vega, Sarah Wright, and Priscilla 
Yubeta.
  I would also like to mention their teacher, Mr. George Thomson, who 
deserves much of the credit for the success of the team. The State 
coordinator, Ms. Lynda Rando also contributed a significant amount of 
time and effort to help Nogales High School reach the national finals.
  The We the People * * * The Citizen and the Constitution Program is 
the most extensive educational program in the country developed 
specifically to educate young people 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 basis of their knowledge of constitutional principles and their 
ability to apply them to 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 22,600 students nationwide at the upper elementary, 
middle, and high school levels. Members of Congress and their staff 
enhance the program by discussing current constitutional issues with 
students and teachers.
  The We the People * * * Program provides an excellent opportunity for 
students to gain an informed perspective on the significance of the 
U.S. Constitution and its place in our history and our lives. I am 
proud that the students from Nogales High School were able to take part 
in the national finals, and look forward to their continued success in 
the years ahead.

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