[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 24 (Thursday, March 7, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO SPARKMAN HIGH SCHOOL OF HARVEST, ALABAMA

                                 ______
                                 

                    HON. ROBERT E. (BUD) CRAMER, JR.

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 7, 2002

  Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sparkman High School 
from Harvest, Alabama for winning the statewide ``We the People . . . 
The Citizen and the Constitution'' competition. On May 4-6, 2002, they 
will join more than 1,200 students from across the United States in 
Washington, D.C. to compete in the national finals. The ``We the People 
. . .'' program is the most extensive educational program in the 
country developed specifically to educate young people about the 
Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
  These young scholars from Sparkman High School 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 constitution. I want to congratulate these students on 
this outstanding achievement.
  The ``We the People . . . program, administered by the Center for 
Civic Education, provides students with a working knowledge of our 
Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the principles of democratic 
government. The three-day national competition is modeled after 
hearings in the United States Congress. The hearings will consist of 
oral presentations by high school students before a panel of 
constitutional scholars. The students' testimony is followed by a 
period of questioning by the judges to explore their depth of 
understanding and ability to apply their constitutional knowledge.
  It is inspiring to see these young people advocate the fundamental 
ideals and principles of our government in the aftermath of the tragedy 
on September 11th. These are ideas that identify us as a people and 
bind us together as a nation. It is important for our next generation 
to understand these values and principles that we hold as standards in 
our endeavor to preserve and realize the promise of our constitutional 
democracy.
  The class from Sparkman High School is currently conducting research 
and preparing for their upcoming participation in the national 
competition in Washington, D.C. I wish these young ``constitutional 
experts'' the best of luck at the We the People . . . national finals. 
They represent the future leaders of our nation.

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