[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 38 (Thursday, March 30, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S1978]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 AMADOR VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL IN NATIONAL COMPETITION ON U.S. CONSTITUTION

 Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, on May 6-8, 2000, more than 
1,200 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 very proud to announce that 
the class from Amador Valley High School in Pleasanton will represent 
the State of California. These young scholars have worked diligently to 
reach the national finals. Through their experience, they 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 primary goal of the program is to promote civic 
competence and responsibility among our nation's elementary and 
secondary students. Administered by the Center for Civic Education, the 
We the People. . . program has provided curricular material for more 
than 26 million students nationwide.
  The three-day national competition is modeled after hearings in the 
U.S. Congress. The students testify as constitutional experts before a 
panel of judges representing several regions of the country and a 
variety of appropriate professional fields. Their testimony is followed 
by a period of questioning by a simulated Congressional committee. The 
judges probe students for their depth of understanding and ability to 
apply their constitutional knowledge.
  The class from Amador Valley High School is currently conducting 
research and preparing for the upcoming national competition in 
Washington. I wish these young ``constitutional experts'' the best of 
luck at the We the People. . . national finals and continued success in 
their future endeavors.

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