[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 56 (Tuesday, May 7, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3950-S3951]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF LAKE FOREST HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS PREPARING FOR 
            NATIONAL COMPETITION ON CONSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE

  Mr. CARPER. Madam President, this May, more than 1,200 
students from across the United States will visit Washington, DC to 
compete in the national finals of the We the People . . . The Citizen 
and the Constitution program. It is the most extensive educational 
program in the country developed specifically to educate young people 
about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
  I am proud to announce that a class from Lake Forest High School from 
Felton will represent the State of Delaware in this national event. 
These students, with the leadership of their teacher Amy Reed-Moore, 
have worked diligently to reach the national finals. Through their 
experience they have gained a deep knowledge and understanding of the 
fundamental principles and values of our constitutional democracy.
  This three-day national competition is modeled after hearings in the 
United States Congress. The hearings consist of oral presentations by 
high school students before a panel of adult judges

[[Page S3951]]

on constitutional topics. The students' testimony is followed by a 
period of questioning by the judges who probe their depth of 
understanding and ability to apply their knowledge.
  Administered by the Center for Civic Education, the We the People . . 
. program has provided curricular materials at upper elementary, middle 
and high school levels for more than 26.5 million students nationwide. 
The program affords students a working knowledge of our Constitution, 
Bill of Rights, and the principles of democratic government.
  It is inspiring to see these young people advocate the principles of 
our government, particularly in the aftermath of the tragedy on 
September 11. These principles identify us as a people and bind us 
together as a Nation. It is important for our next generation to 
understand the values and principles that serve as the foundation in 
our ongoing effort to preserve and realize the promise of democracy.
  These students from Lake Forest High School are currently conducting 
research and preparing for their upcoming participation in the national 
competition in Washington, DC. I wish these young ``constitutional 
experts'' the best of luck at the We the People . . . national finals. 
They represent the future of our State and Nation.

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