[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 71 (Tuesday, June 4, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4963-S4964]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   ``WE THE PEOPLE . . . THE CITIZEN AND THE CONSTITUTION'' NATIONAL 
                                 FINALS

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and 
congratulate students Jaime Bentley, Alexis Bertsch, Wes Bouska, Taylor 
Dykes, Grant Feterl, Kirsten Graslie, Jamie Hahn, Deming Haugland, 
Jessica Henry, Jayni Lueders, Teresa Martinez, Derek Meyers, Erin 
Nelson, Sydni Richey, Sydney Schempf, Jeremy Smith, John Steele, Kaija 
Swisher, Kyle Triplett, Cami Tripp, Jackie Vosler, Caleb Wells, John 
Williams, Adam Ziegler of Spearfish High School, in Spearfish, South 
Dakota. Under the direction of teacher Patrick Gainey, these students 
had an outstanding performance in the ``We the People . . . The Citizen 
and the Constitution'' national finals held in Washington, D.C. May 4-
6, 2002.
  This program, which is administered by the Center for Civic 
Education, is the most extensive of its kind, reaching more than 26.5 
million students at elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the 
Nation. These outstanding young people competed against 50 other 
classes from all across the Nation. Their extraordinary interest and 
dedication to learning and

[[Page S4964]]

studying are demonstrated in their remarkable understanding of the 
fundamental ideals and values of American constitutional government.
  The national finals competition simulates a congressional hearing in 
which high school students testify as constitutional experts before a 
panel of judges. Not only does this program encourage learning, but it 
also gives the students a chance to articulate what it is they have 
learned. In order to speak intelligently about any subject, it is 
important to be well-prepared, and these students have done just that. 
They have dedicated time and hard work, and have committed themselves 
to performing to their best abilities.
  The preparation and dedication the students of Spearfish High School 
committed to the national final competition is to be commended. All of 
South Dakota is proud of their performance. They represented our state 
with tremendous poise and motivation. Their success is an example for 
other talented young people to emulate.
  Again, congratulations to Spearfish High School for their outstanding 
performance in the ``We the People . . . The Citizen and the 
Constitution.''

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