[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 72 (Wednesday, June 5, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S5034]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             WE THE PEOPLE

 Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, on May 4-6, 2002, students from 
Tahoma High School in Washington State joined more than 1,200 students 
from across the United States in Washington, D.C. to compete in the 
national finals of the We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution 
2002 National Competition.
  As a result of their hard work and preparation, the team from Tahoma 
High won an honorable mention award in the national finals, becoming 
one of just 22 schools from all across America to come away from the 
national finals with an award. I congratulate all the students who 
participated: Heather Aldrich, Laura Baily, Andy Bauer, Travis Beckett, 
Lance Bishop, Jonathan Bongard, Sheena Clark, Aimee Craig, Mike 
DeSisto, Casey Dillon, Kiran Garcha, Tyler Hawks, Katie Kennedy, 
Rebecca Kennedy, David Knotts, Alissa Loudiana, Julia Lowe, Ryan Marsh, 
Jamaica Morris, Michaela Soldano, Kellie Stendal, Stefanie Waldron, 
Emily Walters, Ryan Wells, and Jessica Woodell.
  This competition marks the eighth consecutive year that students from 
Tahoma High School have represented the State of Washington at the 
national finals. I recognize the dedication of the Tahoma High School 
faculty, particularly Stephanie Davis, the team's advisor, as well as 
the hard work and commitment of the students who have made this 
tremendous accomplishment possible.
  Successful participation in the We the People program requires 
students to achieve a high caliber of constitutional knowledge. During 
the three-day national competition, the students presented oral 
arguments on constitutional topics before a panel of judges. Their 
testimony was followed by a period of questioning by the judges, who 
probed the depth of their understanding and ability to apply their 
constitutional knowledge.
  Again, I applaud the accomplishments of the Tahoma High School team. 
I am confident that their success in the national competition will 
prove to be a useful tool later in their lives as they continue to 
participate in the governance of our Nation.

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