[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 50 (Monday, April 29, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E653]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING CALHOUN HIGH SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 29, 2002

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay honor to the Calhoun High 
School ``We the People . . . the Citizen and the Constitution'' team 
from Port Lavaca, Calhoun County, Texas. Under the exemplary leadership 
of Gennie Burleson Westbrook, the 2001-2002 Calhoun High School team 
placed third in the statewide competition held on Janaury 5, 2002, at 
the University of Texas Law School in Austin, Texas, which was hosted 
by the State Bar of Texas. The team included the following students: 
Karin Chen, Candice Cook, Chelsea Ghiselin, Tiffany Harvey, Kimberlee 
Hobizal, Major Hoffman, Stephen Jedlicka, Scott Kelly, Josh McClellan, 
Thomas Nguyen, Matt Thomas, Vanessa Thorne, and Andrew Wu.
  The ``We the People'' program was begun in 1987, with the goal of 
enhancing students' understanding of the institutions of American 
constitutional democracy, while guiding them to discover modern day 
applications of the Constitution and the Bill if Rights. It is a time 
consuming study requiring many hours of preparation, both in and out of 
the classroom. Each participant takes a multiple-choice test, and 
prepares for a simulated Congressional hearing in which students 
``testify'' before a panel of judges.
  Following a prepared five-minute presentation covering specific 
topics demonstrating their knowledge and understanding of 
constitutional principals, the judges quizzed the students with 
thought-provoking questions pertaining to their subject. The students 
took and defended their positions, using both historic and contemporary 
examples.
  Preparation for the state contest also required assistance from 
members of the community who came forward to volunteer to work with the 
team members. I salute the following volunteers: Connie Hunt, Mark 
Daigle, Shannon Salyer, Britney Salyer, Edris Montalvo, Darren Hartl, 
Joane McDonough, Phillip Swope, and Larry Nichols.
  I am proud to have these students in the 14th Congressional District 
of Texas. I am proud of the commitment to excellence and perseverance 
shown by each student. I am proud of the support shown by the parents 
and volunteers which helped them reach for their goal.
  I trust all my colleagues join me in congratulating the 2001-2002 
``We the People . . . the Citizen and the Constitution'' team on their 
third place win in state competition.

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