[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 57 (Wednesday, May 10, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E689]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING STUDENTS FROM LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL IN PORTLAND, OR

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DAVID WU

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 10, 2000

  Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that last week I was able to spend 
time with some very talented students from Lincoln High School in 
Portland, Oregon. These students were in Washington, D.C. along with 
more than 1200 students from across the United States to compete in 
national finals of the We the People * * * The Citizen and the 
Constitution program. I am proud to announce that the class from 
Lincoln High School won an honorable mention a 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: Erika Acheson, Louis Baer, Victoria 
Demchak, Ann Denison, Timothy Fitzgerald, Sarah Hopkins, Lisa Humes-
Schulz, Krista Ingebretson, Joey Katz, Ian Krajbich, Emily Lande, Sarah 
Larson, Teresa Lau, Devon McCurdy, Benjamin O'Glasser, Caleb Oken-Berg, 
Julie Ota, Tawny Paul, Mariruth Petzing, Shauna Puhl, Maximilian Pyko, 
Wayne Saxe, John Schaub, Elizabeth Sheets, Lindsay Simmons, Carrie 
Steeves, Brigitte Streckert, Thomas Wilson, Karen Wolfgantg, and Jenny 
Zou.
  I would also like to recognize their teacher, Hal Hart, the district 
coordinator, Susie Marcus, and the state coordinator, Marilyn Cover, 
for their hard work and dedication to the students.
  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.

                          ____________________