[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 64 (Wednesday, May 5, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E872]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HILLSBORO HIGH SCHOOL TEAM COMPETES IN NATIONAL FINALS OF WE THE PEOPLE 
             . . . THE CITIZEN AND THE CONSTITUTION PROGRAM

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                            HON. BOB CLEMENT

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 5, 1999

  Mr. CLEMENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my alma mater, 
Hillsboro High School, for their participation in the We the People--
The Citizen and the Constitution program. On May 1-3, 1999 more than 
1200 students from across the United States will be in Washington, D.C. 
to compete in the national finals of the We the People--The Citizen and 
the Constitution program. I am proud to announce that the class from 
Hillsboro High School from Nashville will represent the state of 
Tennessee in this national event. These young scholars have worked 
diligently to reach the national finals and through their experience 
have gained a deep knowledge and understanding of the fundamental 
principles and values of our constitutional democracy.
  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 three-day national competition is modeled after 
hearings in the United States Congress. These hearings consist of oral 
presentations by high school students before a panel of adult judges. 
The students testify as constitutional experts before a ``congressional 
committee,'' that is, the panel of judges representing various regions 
of the country and a variety of appropriate professional fields. The 
student testimony is followed by a period of questioning during which 
the judges probe students for their depth of understanding and ability 
to apply their constitutional knowledge.
  Administered by the Center for Civic Education, the We the People  . 
. . program has provided curricular materials at upper elementary, 
middle and high school levels for more than 26.5 million students 
nationwide. Members of Congress and their staff enhance the program by 
discussing current constitutional issues with students and teachers and 
by participating in other educational activities. I wish the student 
team from Hillsboro High School the best of luck at We the People--
national finals.

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