[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 78 (Thursday, June 7, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S5961]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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               POLSON HIGH SCHOOL ``WE THE PEOPLE'' GROUP

 Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, on April 21-23, 2001 more than 1200 
students from across the country 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 one of the classes 
that competed was from Polson High School in Polson, MT.
  The students that participated are: Curt Bertsch, Luke Bradshaw, Brad 
Briney, Amy Herak, Jackie Johnson, Ray Kneeland, Mindy Koopmans, Maggie 
Liebschutz, Tim Mains, Levi Mazurek, Ashley Miedinger, Joey Moholt, 
Cuinn Morgen, Nolan Mowbray, Toby Nelson, Kevin O'Brien, Kati O'Toole, 
Becky Owen, Stephen Pitts, Jeri Rafter, Kate Tiskus, Luke Venters, and 
Jason Wies.
  I would also like to recognize, their teacher, Bob Hislop. Bob brings 
students to the national competition almost every year; his efforts 
have been a major asset to Polson High School and the State of Montana.
  For the students involved, the national competition was the 
culmination of months spent studying the Constitution. It lasted three 
days, and was modeled after a Congressional hearing. Students were the 
``witnesses,'' and they made oral presentations before a panel of 
judges--the ``committee.'' Afterwards, the judges asked questions 
designed to probe each competitor's knowledge of several different 
Constitution-related categories.
  In addition, the Polson High group got an opportunity to meet members 
of Congress and visit sites of historic and cultural significance in 
Washington, D.C. The competition may have been the highlight, but for 
most students the trip itself was an educational and exciting 
experience.
  The ``We the People'' program is directed by the Center for Civic 
Education, and it has been extremely successful. Several studies show 
that students who participate in We the People are substantially better 
informed about American Politics than those who do not. They are also 
more likely to register to vote, be more confident in their rights as 
citizens, and be more tolerant of other's viewpoints.
  Let me again congratulate the Polson High group for their hard work. 
Montana is proud of them.

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