[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 11, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S3502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING HAYS HIGH SCHOOL

 Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate 
some hardworking students who are paying attention to a neglected area 
of all of our education--our own history and founding.
  Fortunately, there are programs such as ``We the People: The Citizen 
and the Constitution program,'' which is the most extensive educational 
program in the country, and was developed specifically to educate young 
people about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. This program, 
which is administered by the Center for Civic Education and funded by 
the U.S. Department of Education by act of Congress, finally addresses 
this woeful lack of knowledge in a systematic and thorough way.
  In fact, on April 26, 2003, more than 1,200 students from across the 
United States will visit Washington, D.C., to compete in the national 
finals of the ``We the People'' program. What an experience!
  I am especially proud to announce that the class from Hays High 
School from the town of Hays will represent my home State of Kansas in 
this national event. These young scholars have worked diligently to 
reach the national finals by participating at local and statewide 
competitions. As a result of their experience, they have gained much--
including a deep knowledge and understanding of the fundamental 
principles and values of our constitutional democracy.
  The three-day ``We the People'' national competition is difficult, 
yet true to life as it is modeled after hearings in the United States 
Congress. These 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.
  The ``We the People'' program-- which provides curricular materials 
at upper elementary, middle, and high school levels--not only enhances 
students' understanding of the institutions of American constitutional 
democracy, but it also helps them identify the contemporary relevance 
of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. At the same time, critical 
thinking exercises, problem-solving activities, and cooperative 
learning techniques help develop participatory skills necessary for 
students to become active, responsible citizens.
  Independent studies done by groups as diverse as the Educational 
Testing Service, Richard Brody at Stanford University, and researchers 
at the Council for Basic Education discovered that participants 
outperform comparison students, develop a greater commitment to 
democratic principles and values and are more enthusiastic about their 
work. Clearly this is a deserving program!
  The class from Hays 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.

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