[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 18, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E504-E505]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         WE THE PEOPLE PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. LEONARD L. BOSWELL

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 18, 2003

  Mr. BOSWELL. Mr. Speaker, 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, an educational program 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 Central Academy from Des 
Moines will represent the State of Iowa 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.
  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

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Rights. Critical thinking exercises, problem-solving activities, and 
cooperative learning techniques help develop participatory skills 
necessary for the students to become active, responsible citizens.
  The class from Central Academy 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.

                          ____________________