[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 11, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S5095]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     MAINE SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL AND THE ``WE THE PEOPLE'' COMPETITION

 Mr. FITZGERALD. Mr. President, last week, high school students 
from across the United States came to Washington, D.C. to compete in 
the national finals of the ``We the People . . . The Citizen and the 
Constitution'' program. These young scholars 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. I am proud to announce that the class 
from Maine South High School from Park Ridge, Illinois won the 
competition.
  The ``We the People . . . The Citizen and the Constitution'' program 
is designed 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 expert judges. 
The students testify as constitutional experts before a ``congressional 
committee,'' that is, a panel of judges representing various regions in 
the country and a cross-section of professional fields. The student 
testimony is followed by a period of questioning during which the 
judges quiz students for their depth of understanding and their ability 
to apply their constitutional knowledge.
  I congratulate all the student teams who made it to the national 
finals. Each of those young people took the time to truly learn about 
our Constitution and Bill of Rights. In return, they got the 
opportunity to come to Washington and to meet other students from 
around the country. I applaud their efforts and initiative.
  I am particularly proud that the winning team is from Maine South 
High School in Park Ridge, Illinois. Led by their teacher, Patton 
Feichter, the students won the three day competition to become national 
champions. At a time when so much of our attention is focused on youth 
violence, it is particularly refreshing to congratulate an outstanding 
group of young people who worked very hard to achieve their goals. I 
congratulate the students, parents, and Maine South faculty members on 
all their hard work to win the competition.

                          ____________________