[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 45 (Friday, March 30, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S3213]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             WE THE PEOPLE

 Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I rise today to commend fifteen 
students from Orofino High School in Orofino, ID: Zach Annen, Hannah 
Brandt, Joshua Corry, Diana Dangman, Nathan Dobyns, Emily Hall, Harmony 
Haveman, Jessica Hill, Piper Hope, Stacy Ray, Sarah Spaulding, Heather 
Veeder, Jessica Weeks, Brian Wilks; and Sam Young.
  These students will be in Washington, DC, April 21-23, 2001 to 
compete in the national finals of the ``We the People . . . The Citizen 
and the Constitution'' program. 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.
  I also like to recognize their teacher, Cindy Wilson, for helping 
prepare these young students.
  ``We the People . . . The Citizen and the Constitution'' is one of 
the most extensive educational programs in the country. It has been 
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 and consist of oral 
presentations by high school students before a panel of adult judges. 
The students' testimony is followed by a period of questioning by the 
simulated congressional committee. The judges evaluate students on 
their depth of understanding and ability to apply their constitutional 
knowledge.
  The 250th anniversary of James Madison's birth in 1751 offers an 
appropriate opportunity to examine his contributions to American 
constitutionalism and politics. To this end, the Center for Civic 
Education has collaborated with James Madison's home, Montpelier, to 
produce a supplement to ``We the People . . . The Citizen and the 
Constitution.'' The national finals will include questions on Madison 
and his legacy.
  Administered by the Center for Civic Education, the ``We the People . 
. .'' program has provided curricula materials at upper elementary, 
middle, and high school levels for more than twenty-six and a half 
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 Orofino 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.

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