[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 53 (Wednesday, April 25, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S3918]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                CONGRATULATING CENTRAL FALLS HIGH SCHOOL

 Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, this past weekend, twenty-two 
exceptional students from Central Falls High School in Rhode Island 
visited Washington to compete in the national finals of the ``We The 
People . . . The Citizen And The Constitution'' program, after 
finishing in first place in the Rhode Island competition. In fact, this 
is the fourth time that the Central Falls High School team has won the 
statewide competition!
  For those of my colleagues who are not familiar with it, the ``We The 
People . . . The Citizen And The Constitution'' program is among the 
most extensive educational specifically to ensure that young people 
understand the history and philosophy of the Constitution and the Bill 
of rights. The three-day national competition simulates a congressional 
hearing in which students are given the opportunity to demonstrate 
their knowledge while they evaluate, take, and defend positions on 
historical and contemporary constitutional issues.
  Administered by the Center for Civic Education, the ``We The People . 
. . The Citizen And The Constitution'' program provide an excellent 
opportunity for students to gain an informed perspective on the 
significance of the U.S. Constitution and its place in our history. It 
is heartwarming to see young Rhode Islanders taking such an active and 
participatory interest in public affairs.
  I am very proud of Gabriel Arias, Jorge Bolivar, Andrew Castillo, 
Karen Corrales, Johnathan DePina, Kinga Dobrzycki, Kayla England, Renee 
Fisher, Christina Garcia, Roseangel Gavidia, Karen Hurtado, Deborah 
Navarro, Jessica Pareja, Denisse Reyes, Erik Rua, Shirley Rua, Jesse 
Salazar, Janet Sanchez, Corey Stad, Monica Torres, Vladimir Uran, 
Sirabel Uran, for making it to the national finals. I congratulate this 
outstanding group of young men and women for their hard work and 
perseverance. Also, I want to applaud Jeff Schanck, a fine teacher who 
deserves so much credit for guiding the Central Falls High School team 
to the national finals.
  Yesterday, I was pleased to visit with the students from Central 
Falls to offer my congratulations for what they have achieved. These 
students, with the guidance of Mr. Schanck, have learned much about the 
meaning of our nation and what countless men and women have fought and 
died to protect. No matter what the outcome of the contest, they have 
each earned the greatest prize of all: Knowledge.

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