[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 54 (Thursday, May 4, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E652]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E652]]


               CONGRATULATING ``WE THE PEOPLE'' FINALISTS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM BLILEY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 4, 2000

  Mr. BLILEY. Mr. Speaker, on May 6-8, 2000 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 The 
Governor's School for Government & International Studies from Richmond 
will represent the state of Virginia in this national event. Through 
dedication and hard work, these young scholars have earned the right to 
compete in the national finals where they will demonstrate their 
through understanding of the fundamental principles and values of our 
constitutional democracy.
  The name of the students are: Loren Bushkar, Zachary Carwile, Joshua 
Chiancone, John Cluverius, Madeleine de Blois, Charles Dixon, Meredith 
Gaglio Matthew Gayle, Mathew George, Allen Hatzis, Emily Hulburt, 
Maryann James, Jason Karmes, Frankie Keller, Sarah Kiesler, Lindsey 
Lane, Kerin Lanyi, Theresa McCulla, Andi Monson, Daniel Myers, Benjamin 
Neale, George Nuckolls, Jonathan Phillips, Susannah Powell, John Sells, 
Kelly Stover, Alex Walthall, Milo Wical
  I would also like to recognize their teacher, Phillip Sorrentino, who 
motivated his students to strive for excellence.
  The We the People . . . The Citizen and the Constitution program is 
designed to ensure that young people understand the history and 
philosophy of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The program provides 
students with a working knowledge of our Constitution, Bill of Rights, 
and the principles of democractic government by challenging them to 
apply their constitutional knowledge to everyday situations. Studying 
these historically significant documents has undoubtedly given the 
students at the Governor's School in Richmond a greater appreciation 
for the freedoms enjoyed by the citizens of this great nation. I 
applaud their diligence in exploring the meaning and significance of 
the very documents which serve as the foundation of our government.
  I also share in their goal of fostering a greater awareness and 
understanding of our rights and responsiblities as Americans. I am the 
proud holder of the seat first held by James Madison, commonly referred 
to as the Father of our Constitution. Inspired by both the honor of 
holding this seat, as well as the enthusiasm of young students as the 
Liberty Middle School in Ashland, Virginia, I introduced the Liberty 
Dollar Bill Act, H.R. 903. This legislation, if enacted, will redesign 
the one dollar bill to incorporate the preamble to the Constitution of 
the United States, a list describing the Articles of the Constitution, 
and a list describing the Articles of Amendment. I feel certain that 
passage of the Liberty Dollar Bill Act will make more Americans 
familiar with their constitutionally protected rights while also 
rekindling the patriotic spirit of our Founding Fathers.
  The class from The Governor's School for Government & International 
Studies is currently conducting research and preparing for the upcoming 
national competition in Washington, D.C. I wish these budding 
constitutional experts the best of luck at the We the people . . . 
national finals!

                          ____________________