[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 71 (Tuesday, May 13, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6065-S6066]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CONGRATULATING THE KAHUKU HIGH AND INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

 Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise to congratulate the team of 
students from

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Kahuku High and Intermediate School of Kahuku, HI, on logging yet 
another bright performance for their school at the ``We the People . . 
. the Citizen and the Constitution'' national competition recently held 
here in our Nation's Capital. The team traveled over 5,000 miles to 
represent Hawaii in this competition, and won the Unit 3 award, ``How 
the Values and Principles Embodied in the Constitution Shaped American 
Institutions and Practices,'' for the second consecutive year. On 
behalf of the people of Hawaii, I am proud to congratulate the Kahuku 
team.
  As my colleagues are familiar, the We the People competition, 
administered by the Center for Civic Education, is a comprehensive 
program that assists students in understanding the history and 
principles of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. The academic 
competition simulates a congressional hearing where students, acting as 
expert witnesses, testify before a panel of prominent professionals 
from across the country to demonstrate their knowledge of 
constitutional issues. The program provides an excellent opportunity 
for students to gain an appreciation of the significance of our 
Constitution and its place in history and our lives today. As a former 
teacher, it heartens me to see our young people taking interest in 
learning about the sacred document which we in this Chamber work to 
uphold and defend, every day. It is only through the understanding of 
our Constitution and the Bill of Rights that we are able to perpetuate 
the democratic foundation upon which this great Nation was built. I 
applaud all students who participate in this competition for their hard 
work and dedication to civic education. We might well have future 
Senators and Members of Congress who are encouraged to enter public 
service because of their experiences in the We the People competition.
  I am pleased to enter the names of the Kahuku team members for the 
record: Adriana Alghussein, Daniel Allen, Dexter Bacon, Nicole Cameron, 
Ariane Cameros, Li Shieh Chen, Anthony Ching, William Ellis, Brooke 
Jones, Shantel Kaululaau, April Kekaula, Helene Keys, Malia Love, 
Leilani Miller, Andrew Savini, Jessica Schiaretti, Kristen Sickler, 
Bethany Smith, Ericka Staples, and Elizabeth Torres. I also take this 
opportunity to recognize their teacher Sandra Cashman, State 
Coordinator Lyla Berg, and District Coordinator Sharon Kaohi for all of 
their contributions in helping the Kahuku team prepare for the national 
competition.
  Again, I congratulate the students and the faculty of Kahuku High and 
Intermediate School for their outstanding achievements. I am pleased to 
note that a team from this school has represented Hawaii in 9 of the 
past 11 national competitions. I join the people of Hawaii in 
expressing my pride in their impressive achievement.

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