[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 84 (Monday, June 18, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6373-S6374]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SPEARFISH HIGH SCHOOL ``WE THE PEOPLE . . . THE CITIZEN AND THE 
                        CONSTITUTION'' FINALISTS

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to publicly commend 
an excellent group of students from Spearfish High School in Spearfish, 
SD. This class of 23 government students performed extraordinarily well 
at the Center for Civic Education's ``We the People . . . The Citizen 
and the Constitution'' national finals held in Washington, D.C. The 
Spearfish High School class competed with 49 other government classes 
from around the country, and I applaud these students for their 
outstanding performance and for their dedication and commitment to 
studying the U.S. government.
  ``We the People . . . The Citizen and the Nation,'' is an outstanding 
program directed by the Center for Civic Education and funded by the 
United States Department of Education by an act of Congress. The 
program's goal is to create an enlightened citizenry that

[[Page S6374]]

is well-versed on the principles and virtues of America's 
constitutional democracy. To help meet this goal, students take part in 
an instructional curriculum that culminates with a simulated 
congressional hearing that tests students knowledge and understanding 
of the history and principles of American government.
  Spearfish, SD is a wonderful town located in the northern part of the 
Black Hills, home to Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse monument, and other 
beautiful landmarks and landscapes. I am proud that these students from 
Spearfish serve as such excellent representatives of our great State of 
South Dakota. I commend them for their talent and their commitment to 
learning about our Nation's system of government.
  For their contributions to the successful team effort, I congratulate 
class members Ryan Aalbu, Jessica Barron, Ryan Batt, Chelsea Brennan, 
Christi Coburn, Doug Dodson, Johanna Farmer, Ryan Freemont, Christina 
Hammerquist, Marie Hoffman, Matt Loken, John Martin, Cassie Parsons, 
Faith Pautz, Kara Peep, Danielle Peterson, Crystal Sachau, Amanda 
Schlepp, Jordan Schmit, Mindy Simonson, Mark Stratton, Erin Talsma, and 
Aaron Varadi.
  Mr. Patrick Gainey deserves special recognition for his role in this 
accomplishment. As the teacher of this class, he both taught and 
inspired these students, while leading them to the national finals 
competition. I also acknowledge State Coordinator Lennis Larson, and 
District Coordinator Mark Rockafellow for helping to facilitate this 
event for these students.
  I am proud that South Dakota is home to such outstanding students, 
whose desire and commitment to studying our constitutional government 
is clearly evident from this achievement. I thank you, for allowing me 
time to share this outstanding accomplishment with my Senate 
colleagues. Their performance in this national competition not only 
makes all of South Dakota proud, but also serves as a model for other 
talented and motivated students throughout our state to 
emulate.

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