[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 50 (Wednesday, April 29, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3795-S3796]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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CONGRATULATING CENTRAL FALLS HIGH SCHOOL FOR ITS FIRST PLACE FINISH IN 
  THE ``WE THE PEOPLE . . . THE CITIZEN AND THE CONSTITUTION'' STATE 
                              COMPETITION

 Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, on May 2nd, twenty outstanding 
students from Central Falls High School in Rhode Island will visit 
Washington to compete in the national finals of the ``We The People . . 
. The Citizen And The Constitution'' program. In fact, this is the 
second time that the Central Falls High School team has won the 
statewide competition!
  For those of my colleagues who are not familiar with it, the ``We The 
People . . . The Citizen And The Constitution'' program is among the 
most extensive educational programs in the country focusing on 
citizenship. The program was developed specifically to ensure that 
young people understand the history and philosophy of the Constitution 
and the Bill of Rights. The three-day national competition simulates a 
congressional hearing in which students are given the opportunity to 
demonstrate their knowledge while they evaluate, take, and defend 
positions on historical and contemporary constitutional issues.
  Administered by the Center for Civic Education, the ``We The People . 
. . The Citizen And The Constitution'' 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. It 
is heartwarming to see young Rhode Islanders taking such an active and 
participatory interest in public affairs.
  I am very proud of Rodolfo Alvarez, Paula Arango, Viviana Blandon, 
Liana Breton, Angela Cano, Elizabeth

[[Page S3796]]

Carmona, Jessica Carmona, Nicole Duguay, Arabella Garzon, Jennifer 
Kelley, Suzanne Krupka, Kathleen Lopes, Gina Matuszek, Nicole Mercado, 
Richard Oliveira, Patricia Pina, Shelly Rua, Amanda Ryfa, Giovann 
Restrepo, Melisa Sylvestre, and Melissa Weber for making it to the 
national finals. I applaud this terrific group of young men and women 
for their hard work and perseverance. Also, Mr, President, I want to 
congratulate Bert Brousseau, a fine teacher who deserves so much credit 
for guiding the Central Falls High School team to the national finals.
  On Tuesday, April 7th I was pleased to visit the Central Falls 
winners. I couldn't resist giving them a spontaneous oral quiz. I am 
happy to report that they responded to my questions superbly! 
Congratulations to Mr. Brousseau and his students for what they have 
already achieved, and best of luck in the final competition. These 
students, with the guidance of Mr. Brousseau, have learned what our 
nation is all about and what countless men and women have fought and 
died to protect. No matter what the outcome of the contest is, they 
have each earned the greatest prize of all: Knowledge.

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