[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 21, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4617-S4618]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CONGRATULATING THE STUDENTS OF WEST WARWICK SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

 Mr. REED. Mr. President, I rise in recognition of the students 
of West Warwick Senior High School for representing the State of Rhode 
Island in the national competition for the We the People . . . The 
Citizen and the Constitution program. This year's national competition 
took place on May 4 to 6, 2002.
  The We the People program and the competition is administered by the 
Center for Civic Education. The competition is modeled after hearings 
in the U.S. Congress and consists of oral presentations by high school 
students

[[Page S4618]]

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.
  It is inspiring to see these young people advocate the fundamental 
ideals and principles of our government. These are the ideals that bind 
us together as a nation. It is important for our next generation to 
understand these values and principles which we hold as standards in 
our endeavor to preserve and realize the promise of our constitutional 
democracy.
  On behalf of all Rhode Islanders, I would like to congratulate Najiya 
Abdul-Hakim, Janice Abueg, Peter Calci III, Kristin Capaldo, Elizabeth 
Champagne, Tara Cooney, Tara Czop, Paul DiMartino, Thomas Driscoll, 
Christopher Ellis, Tinisha Goldson, Kenneth Halpern, Sarah Johnson, 
Alyssa Lavallee, Robert Martin, Michael Muschiano, Lindsay Nagel, 
Michael Ouellette, Anthony Politelli, Michael Ryan, Kendall Silva, 
Sarah Smith, Corey St. Sauveur, Kate Studley, Erin Watson, Shane 
Wilcox, and their teacher Marc Leblanc. I would also like to 
acknowledge Rhode Island State Coordinator Henry Cote and District 
Coordinators Carlo Gamba and Michael Trofi for their dedication to this 
program over the years. These students truly represent the future 
leaders of our Nation.

                          ____________________