[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 54 (Thursday, May 4, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E659-E660]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          WE THE PEOPLE . . . THE CITIZEN AND THE CONSTITUTION

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DON YOUNG

                               of alaska

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 4, 2000

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, on May 6-8, 2000, more than 1,200 
students from across the United States will be in Washington, DC, to 
compete in this national finals of the We the People . . . The Citizen 
and the Constitution program. I am proud to announce that the class 
from West Anchorage High School from Anchorage will represent the state 
of Alaska 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 names of the students are Brandi Backus, Jennifer Chen, Kaithyn 
Clark, Karen Elano, Meghan Holtan, Marlssa Johannes, Alyson Merrill, 
Colin Moran, Stephanie Painter, Brandon Reiley, Neeraj Satyal, Isaac 
Schapira, Nathan Senner, Stephanie Shanklin, Eric Sjoden, David Street, 
Ryan Tans, Carisa Verdola, Robby Wayerski
  I would also like to recognize their teacher, Richard Goldstein, who 
deserves much of the credit for the success of the class.
  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 panel of judges 
representing various regions of the country and a variety of 
appropriate professional fields. The students' testimony is followed by 
a period of questioning by the simulated congressional committee. The 
judges probe students for their depth of understanding and ability to 
apply their constitutional knowledge. Columnist David Broder described 
the national finals as ``the place to have your faith in the younger 
generation restored.''
  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. The program provides students with a working knowledge of 
our Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the principles a of democratic 
government. Members of Congress and their staff enhance the program by 
discussing current constitutional issues with the students and teachers 
and by participating in other educational activities.
  The class from West Anchorage High School is currently conducting 
research and preparing for the upcoming national competition in 
Washington, DC. I wish these young ``constitutional experts'' the best 
of luck at the We the People . . . national finals and my staff

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and I look forward to greeting them when they visit Capitol Hill.

                          ____________________