[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 63 (Wednesday, May 8, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4875-S4876]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          URI DEBATE TEAM DOES WELL IN LINCOLN-DOUGLAS DEBATE

 Mr. PELL. Mr. President, the University of Rhode Island debate 
team was honored last week at the Rhode Island State House, where the 
team members received citations for their recent outstanding 
performance at the National Forensics Association [NFA] Individual 
Events Nationals at Western Illinois University.
  I understand that this competition, which was one of the largest in 
the history of NFA, drew 2,000 competitors

[[Page S4876]]

representing 29 States. In the Lincoln-Douglas debate there were 92 
competitors representing 33 different colleges and universities.
  Rebecca Makris, Derek Young, Jonathan Cross, and Tara McErien 
represented the University of Rhode Island. During the six preliminary 
rounds the team defeated teams from Northeastern University, Simmons 
College, Oakland University, Colorado State University, Cornell 
University, Ohio University, Morgan State, and Central Michigan 
University.
  Overall the winning record of the team placed them at 10th in the 
Nation and Rebecca Makris compiled an outstanding record, earning her a 
place as the 4th best debater in the competition.
  Kristen Maar, director of the debate, states: ``This is quite an 
accomplishment for the team and the University. The debaters that 
qualified for this national tournament were the best in the country, 
and to have Rebecca place fourth overall is a true achievement.''
  Coincidentally, the debate topic this year and the debate topic next 
year reflect some of my own interests in the Senate--the topics 
``United Nations'' and ``Education Reform.''
  This year's topic was ``Resolved: That participation in one or more 
of the six principal bodies of the United Nations should be 
significantly restricted by altering the U.N. charter and/or rules of 
procedure.''
  The debate season will begin again in September, with the resolution 
dealing with education reform. The exact wording of the resolution will 
be released on August 1, 1996.
  I want to commend the URI team for its excellent job and all the 
participants this year for their focus on the United Nations and key 
issues affecting our global future. I look forward to learning more 
about next year's debate.

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