[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 59 (Friday, April 11, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S5338]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING THE STUDENTS FROM WEST WARWICK HIGH SCHOOL

 Mr. REED. Madam President, today I rise in the special 
recognition of the students of West Warwick Senior High School for 
representing the State of Rhode Island in the national competition for 
the ``We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution'' program. This 
year's national competition will take place on April 26 to 28, 2003.
  The ``We the People'' program and competition are administered by the 
Center for Civic Education. The program is an extensive one, developed 
to educate students about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The 
competition is modeled after hearings in Congress and consists of oral 
presentations by high school students before a panel of adult judges on 
constitutional topics. The students' testimony is followed by a period 
of questioning by the judges who probe their depth of understanding and 
ability to apply their constitutional knowledge.
  Our current global situation has increased the importance of 
initiatives which help young people to understand the fundamental 
ideals and principles of our government. We cannot take these ideals 
and principles for granted. Instead, we must hold them as standards in 
our endeavor to preserve and realize the promise of our constitutional 
democracy. It is of vital importance for future generations to 
understand the convictions that bind us together as a nation.
  I believe that these students from West Warwick deserve added 
recognition. Not only is this their second consecutive State 
championship, this year's State competition took place just 2 weeks 
after the tragic fire in West Warwick that injured and took the lives 
of almost 290 family, friends, and neighbors of these young adults. In 
spite of their hometown's mourning, these students were able to 
continue their diligent preparation for the statewide ``We the People'' 
competition, and win. The West Warwick High School students will be 
joining 1,200 others from across the United States.
  On behalf of all Rhode Islanders, I would like to congratulate the 
following students: Carly Alvernaz, Linzy Alvernaz, Jennifer Bartley, 
Stacy Costa, Sara Dalton, Ryan Desrochers, Megan Dougherty, Jillian 
Drummond, Elizabeth Duggan, Katheryn Flynn, Ashley Iasimone, Thomas 
Kelly, Paris Legault, Paul Piacitelli, Daniel Politelli, Lisa Powers, 
Ali Shihadeh, Nicholas St. Germain, Christen Varin, Russell Venditto, 
and Meaghan Whitford. In addition, I would like to acknowledge their 
teacher Marc Leblanc, the Rhode Island State coordinator, Michael 
Trofi, and the district coordinator, Henry Cote, for their dedication 
to this program over the years. I wish the students from West Warwick 
High School the best of luck at the ``We the People'' national 
finals.

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