[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 59 (Friday, April 11, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E734]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CONGRATULATIONS TO MAINE SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL CONSTITUTION TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 2003

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, 24 exceptional students from the 9th 
Congressional District are ready to compete against the smartest and 
the brightest from around the country in the National finals of the We 
the People...The Citizen and the Constitution. The 24 students, all 
seniors from Maine South High School in Park Ridge, IL, have recently 
won the Illinois State competition and will represent our great State 
in the national finals.
  What does it take to make it into the finals of this prestigious 
contest? What does it take to make it this far? The answer is clear: 
Dedication, hard work, and countless hours reading, researching, and 
studying the great document that is the foundation of our democracy: 
the Constitution of the United States of America--the symbol of 
personal freedom and protection.
  Each year, the ``We the People'' foundation hosts district, state and 
national level congressional-style hearings on the history and 
principles of Constitutional democracy in the United States. 
Participants are tested on their knowledge of the Constitution and its 
foundations and applications to our country.
  The ``We the People'' contest is an invaluable learning experience 
for Maine South high school students and other students from around the 
country. The program helps promote democracy and encourages civic 
participation in the issues of critical importance to our freedoms by 
young men and women and I am hopeful they will carry those lessons with 
them into the future.
  I would like to commend the students of Maine South High School's 
Constitution Team and their academic advisor Dan States for their hard 
work and great scholastic achievement, and I wish them the best of luck 
in the National Finals.

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