[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 57 (Wednesday, April 9, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S5056]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF STUDENTS AT GRACE KING HIGH SCHOOL 
                    IN THE WE THE PEOPLE COMPETITION

 Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, 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, 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 Grace King High School 
from Metairie will represent the State of Louisiana in this national 
event. These young scholars, led by their teacher Jamie Staub, 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 class from Grace King 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 at the We the People national finals.

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