[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 21, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S4617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE STUDENTS OF DOBSON HIGH SCHOOL FROM MESA, AZ

 Mr. KYL. Mr. President, earlier this month, more than 1,200 
students from across the United States were in Washington, D.C. to 
compete in the national finals of the ``We the People . . . The Citizen 
and the Constitution'' program. This program was designed specifically 
to educate young people about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, 
and this year's event was, yet again, testament to its success.
  The 3-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 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 constitutional knowledge.
  I am proud to announce that the class from Dobson High School from 
Mesa, AZ was selected as the national winner of this year's 
competition. These young scholars worked diligently to reach the 
national finals and I commend them on their fine accomplishment. 
Through their experience, they have gained a deep knowledge and 
understanding of the fundamental principles and values of our 
constitutional democracy, and hopefully, they have also helped to 
encourage other young students around the country to follow in their 
footsteps.
  I would like to take a moment to mention the names of those students 
who competed for Dobson High: Dean Anderson, Nikki Best, Diana Capozzi, 
Adam Cronenberg, Adam Ekbom, Ashley Emmons, Tammy Ho, Candice Howden, 
Chi-Chi Hsieh, Katherine Jennings, Amanda Keim, Brianne Kiley, Jimmy 
Martinez, Jr., Jordan Pendergrass, Ashley Rogers, Jake Seybert, Hiral 
Shah, Ashley Wearly, and Jeff Yost. I would also like to acknowledge 
their teacher, Abby Dupke, the district coordinator, Kathleen Williams, 
and the state coordinator, Debbie Shayo. Congratulations.
  It is inspiring to see these young people advocate the fundamental 
principles of our government. 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 which we hold as standards, 
especially in our endeavor to preserve the promise of our 
constitutional democracy.
  All of the students who participated in this program worked extremely 
hard, and they are all to be commended for their research and 
preparation. I wish all these budding constitutional experts the best 
of luck in their futures. They represent tomorrow's leaders of our 
Nation.

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