[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 26, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E293-E294]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNITION FOR THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE WE THE PEOPLE PARTICIPANTS FROM 
                              SOUTH DAKOTA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM J. JANKLOW

                            of south dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 25, 2003

  Mr. JANKLOW. Mr. Speaker, I would like, today, to recognize the 
following high school class in Marion, South Dakota.
  On April 26, 2003, more than 1200 students from across the United 
States will visit Washington, D.C. to compete in the national finals of 
the We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution program, the most 
extensive educational program in the country developed specifically to 
educate young people about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. 
Administered by the Center for Civic Education, the We the People 
program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education by act of 
Congress.
  I am proud to announce that the class from Marion High School from 
Marion will represent the state of South Dakota in this national event. 
These young scholars have worked conscientiously to reach the national 
finals by participating at local and statewide competitions. As a 
result of their experience they have gained a deep knowledge and 
understanding of the fundamental principles and values of our 
constitutional democracy.
  The three-day We the People 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 are given an opportunity to 
demonstrate their knowledge while they evaluate, take, and defend 
positions on relevant historical and contemporary issues. Their 
testimony is followed by a period of questioning by the judges who 
probe the students' depth of understanding and ability to apply their 
constitutional knowledge.

[[Page E294]]

  The We the People program provides curricular materials at upper 
elementary, middle, and high school levels. The curriculum not only 
enhances students' understanding of the institutions of American 
constitutional democracy, it also helps them identify the contemporary 
relevance of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Critical thinking 
exercises, problem-solving activities, and cooperative learning 
techniques help develop participatory skills necessary for students to 
become active, responsible citizens.
  Independent studies by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) revealed 
that students enrolled in the We the People program at upper 
elementary, middle, and high school levels ``significantly outperformed 
comparison students on every topic of the tests taken.'' Another study 
by Richard Brody at Stanford University discovered that students 
involved in the We the People program develop greater commitment to 
democratic principles and values than do students using traditional 
textbooks and approaches. Researchers at the Council for Basic 
Education noted, ``[T]eachers feel excited and renewed. . . . Students 
are enthusiastic about what they have been able to accomplish, 
especially in terms of their ability to carry out a reasoned argument. 
They have become energized about their place as citizens of the United 
States.
  The class from Marion High School is currently preparing for their 
participation in the national competition in Washington, D.C. It is 
inspiring to see these young people advocate the fundamental ideals and 
principles of our government, ideas that identify us as a people and 
bind us together as a nation. It is important for future generations to 
understand these values and principles which we hold as standards in 
our endeavor to preserve and realize the promise of our constitutional 
democracy. I wish these young ``constitutional experts'' the best of 
luck at the We the People national finals.

                          ____________________