[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 19, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E514]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                THE CITIZEN AND THE CONSTITUTION PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 19, 2003

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform my colleagues that 
on April 26, 2003, more than 1,200 students from across the United 
States will visit Washington, DC, to compete in the national finals of 
the We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution program. This 
educational program is developed specifically to teach young people 
more about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and is administered 
by the Center for Civic Education. The program is funded by the U.S. 
Department of Education by an act of Congress.
  I am proud to announce that the class from Indiana Area High School 
from Indiana will represent the state of Pennsylvania 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 3-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 Rights. Critical thinking 
exercises, problem-solving activities, and cooperative learning 
techniques help develop participatory skills necessary for students to 
become active, responsible citizens.
  The class from Indiana Area High School is currently preparing for 
their participation in the national competition in Washington, DC. 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 as they participate in the We the People national 
finals.

                          ____________________