[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 68 (Thursday, May 17, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E819]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        WE THE PEOPLE--THE CITIZEN AND THE CONSTITUTION PROGRAM

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                             HON. DAVID WU

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 16, 2001

  Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, on April 21-23, 2001 more than 1200 students 
from across the United States came to 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 
Lincoln High School from Portland, Oregon placed third. I am also 
pleased to have been able to spend some time with the students. 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: Brett Bell, Michael Blank, Ben Brewer, 
Chris Chamness, Greg Damis-Wulff, Alex Dewar, David Dickey-Griffith, 
Heather Dunlap, Jenni Hamni, Jennifer Hill, Scott Huan, Nick Johnson, 
Kathayoon Khalil, Cali Lanza-Weil, Jennelle Milam, Jonathan Pulvers, 
Julie Rhew, Katie Rose, Andrew Rosenthal, Anay Shah, Chris Shay, Rafael 
Spielman, Jason Trombley, Jessica Vandermeer, Oliver Vandermeer, Ben 
Walsh, Colleen Wearn.
  I would also like to recognize their teacher, Jennifer Vaught, who 
deserves much of the credit for the success of the class.
  We the People... The Citizen and the Constitution is the most 
extensive educational program in the country developed specifically to 
educate young people about the Constitution and 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' 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.
  The 250th anniversary of James Madison's birth in 1751 offers an 
appropriate opportunity to examine this Founder's contributions to 
American constitutionalism and politics. To this end, the Center for 
Civic Education has collaborated with James Madison's 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.
  Following the 1999 national finals competition, a random sample of 
participating students was surveyed. Findings suggest that national 
finalists are more knowledgeable across virtually every aspect of civic 
education measured than national samples of high school seniors, 
college freshmen, and adults. They are less cynical about politics and 
public officials and participate in politics at a higher rate than do 
their peers. For example, when compared with various nationally 
representative samples, We the People... students scored an average of 
25 percent higher on knowledge of democratic institutions and processes 
than students tested in the National Assessment for Educational 
Progress (NAEP).
  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.

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