[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 22, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1350]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


OUTSTANDING YOUNG KENTUCKIANS FROM OHIO COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL IN HARTFORD, 
      KENTUCKY, WIN THE ``WE THE PEOPLE . . . THE CITIZEN AND THE 
                             CONSTITUTION''

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ED WHITFIELD

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 22, 1999

  Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize 15 
talented and patriotic young scholars from my district who competed in 
the national finals of the ``We the People . . . The Citizen and the 
Constitution'' competition earlier this month.
  I am pleased to recognize the class from Ohio County High School in 
Hartford, Kentucky who represented our Commonwealth in this national 
competition including teams from every state and the District of 
Columbia. These outstanding young Kentuckians are: Kyle Autry, Josh 
Benton, Hollie Bratcher, Jacqueline Bryant, Keara Daughtery, Jarrod 
Frizzell, Hillary Grant, Ashley Hale, Emily Harris, Erika Hawley, 
Michelle Jarvis, Nakayah Myers, Meredith Shrewsbury and Alex Taylor. 
They are coached by John Stofer, a teacher at Ohio County High School.
  ``We the People . . . The Citizen and the Constitution'' is the 
nation's most extensive program dedicated to educating young people 
about our Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The three-day national 
competition simulates a Congressional hearing in which students defend 
positions on historical and contemporary constitutional issues. This 
format provides students an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge 
and understanding of constitutional principles while providing teachers 
with an excellent means of assessing performance.
  This year's competition involved 1,500 schools and provided 
literature and course-related materials on the history and principles 
of constitutional democracy in the United States to more than 75,000 
teachers and 24 million students.
  High school competition begins at the congressional district level 
with teams from each school vying for the district championship. 
District winners go on to compete at a statewide hearing and state 
champions travel to Washington, D.C. in the spring to represent their 
state in the national finals.
  I am proud of this Ohio County team because this is the first time a 
school from my district has represented Kentucky in the national event. 
In a time when public cynicism and apathy are high, it is reassuring to 
know that this program is instilling a sense of civic duty and 
understanding in our future leaders.

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