[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 30, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S5535]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     PREPARING FOR NATIONAL COMPETITION ON CONSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE

 Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, this May, more than 1,200 students 
from across the United States will visit Washington, D.C. to compete in 
the national finals of the We the People... The Citizen and the 
Constitution program. It is the most extensive educational program in 
the country developed specifically to educate young people about the 
Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
  I am proud to announce that a class from Smyrna High School will 
represent the State of Delaware in this national event. These students, 
with the leadership of their teacher Marc Deisem, have worked 
diligently to reach the national finals. Through their experience, they 
have gained a deep knowledge and understanding of the fundamental 
principles and values of our constitutional democracy.
  This 3-day 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' testimony is followed by a period of questioning 
by the judges who probe their depth of understanding and ability to 
apply their knowledge.
  Administered by the Center for Civic Education, the We the People... 
program has provided curricular materials at upper elementary, middle 
and high school levels for more than 26.5 million students nationwide. 
The program affords students a working knowledge of our Constitution, 
Bill of Rights, and the principles of democratic government.
  It is inspiring to see these young people advocate the principles of 
our Government. These principles identify us as a people and bind us 
together as a Nation. It is important for our next generation to 
understand the values and principles that serve as the foundation in 
our ongoing effort to preserve and realize the promise of democracy.
  These students from Smyrna High School are currently conducting 
research and preparing for their upcoming participation in the national 
competition in Washington, DC. I wish these young ``constitutional 
experts'' the best of luck at the We the People... national finals. 
They represent the future of our State and Nation, and they give us 
cause for great hope as we look to the future.

                          ____________________