[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 54 (Thursday, May 4, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S3508]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          2000 NATIONAL FINALS

 Mr. REID. 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 proud to announce that the class 
from Basic High School from Henderson will represent the State of 
Nevada 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; Katie Bair, Joshua Bitsko, Ryan Black, 
Daniel Croy, Scott Devoge, Danielle Dodgen, Courtney England, Starlyn 
Hackney, Jill Hales, Alia Holm, Janae Jeffrey, Ryan Johnson, Aimee 
Lucero, Nathan Lund, Jessica Magro, Jasmine Miller, Holli Mitchell, 
Gary Nelson, Krystaly Nielsen, Mark Niewinski, Amanda Reed, Jeni 
Riddle, Leslie Roland, Landin Ryan, Alena Sivertson, Ashley Stolworthy, 
Sarah Strohm, Tyler Watson, Kara Williams, and Ricky Zeedyk. I would 
also like to recognize their teacher, John Wallace, 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 of democratic 
government. Members of Congress and their staff enhance the program by 
discussing current constitutional issues with students and teachers and 
by participating in other educational activities.
  The class from Basic High School is currently conducting research and 
preparing for the upcoming national competition in Washington, D.C. I 
wish these young ``constitutional experts'' the best of luck at the We 
the People . . . national finals and my staff and I look forward to 
greeting them when they visit Capitol Hill.

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