[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 50 (Monday, April 29, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E655]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING SAN MARCOS 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 San Marcos 
High School ``We the People . . . the Citizen and the Constitution'' 
team from San Marcos, Hays County, Texas. Under the exemplary 
leadership of Paula Wolking and Lezlie Wiederhold, the 2001-2002 
Calhoun High School team placed second in the statewide competition 
held on January 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 29 seniors: Kelli Avila, Jason Baen, Marisa 
Bell-Metereau, Erin Blum, Paul Buntyn, Mariah Campbell, Amy Carlson, 
John David Carson, Samantha Charleston, Justyn Contreras, Heather 
Davis, Jacob Delgado, Veronica De La Garza, Matt Diaz, Shelby Eastland, 
Jessica Gifford, Megan Hansen, Kari Howe, J R Manrique, Rachel Martin, 
Genesis McCoo, Jenny Morrison, Lani Ogle, Valerie Perez, Amara 
Richardson, Orlando Sanchez, Francesca Scanio, Kim Spire, and Joshua 
Yanity.
  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 of 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 
prepared 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.
  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 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 
second place win in state competition.

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