[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 57 (Wednesday, May 10, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S3830]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING WESTMINISTER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY IN THE WE THE PEOPLE . . 
           . THE CITIZEN AND THE CONSTITUTION NATIONAL FINALS

 Mr. ASHCROFT. Mr. President, it is my pleasure to congratulate 
the class from Westminister Christian Academy in St. Louis that 
represented the state of Missouri in the We the People--The Citizen and 
the Constitution national finals in Washington, D.C., during May 6-8, 
2000. These young scholars worked diligently to reach the national 
finals, where they received honorable mention. Through this experience 
they have gained a deep knowledge and understanding of the fundamental 
principles and values of our constitutional democracy.
  I would like to recognize Rebekah Baxter, Anna-Grace Claassen, 
Samantha Denny, Jonathan Friz, Joseph Goldkamp, Nick Gustafson, Tim 
Ivancic, Aaron Johnson, Melissa Millar, Sarah Munson, John Murphy, 
Steve Ottolini, Nick Pavlenko, Dawn Piehl, Rodney Schnellbacher, 
Michelle Stanford, Lindsey Vehlewald and Kristen Walle and their 
teacher Ken Boesch.
  The We the People . . . The Citizen and the Constitution program is 
an extensive educational program 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 U.S. 
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 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.
  I would like to congratulate the class from Westminister Christian 
Academy on their exemplary performance at the We the People . . . 
national finals. I wish these young ``constitutional experts'' from 
Missouri the best of luck in their future endeavors.

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