[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 29, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E795]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO THE CLASS FROM DULUTH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

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                         HON. JAMES L. OBERSTAR

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 29, 2003

  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, on April 26, 2003, more than 1200 students 
from across the United States arrived in Washington, D.C. 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 U.S. 
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 an act of Congress.
  I am proud to announce that the class from Duluth Central High School 
from Duluth will represent the State of Minnesota 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 curricula materials at upper 
elementary, middle, and high school levels. The curricula not only 
enhances students' understanding of the institutions of American 
constitutional democracy, but it also helps them identify the 
contemporary relevance of the U.S. 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.
  Independent studies by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) revealed 
that students enrolled in the We the People program at upper 
elementary, middle, and high school levels ``significantly outperformed 
comparison students on every topic of the tests taken.'' Another study 
by Richard Brody at Stanford University discovered that students 
involved in the We the People program develop greater commitment to 
democratic principles and values than do students using traditional 
textbooks and approaches. Researchers at the Council for Basic 
Education noted,
  ``[T]eachers feel excited and renewed. . . . Students are 
enthusiastic about what they have been able to accomplish, especially 
in terms of their ability to carry out a reasoned argument. They have 
become energized about their place as citizens of the United States.''
  The class from Duluth Central High School 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.

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