[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 46 (Monday, April 5, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S3629]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      THE 2004 NATIONAL FINAL, WE THE PEOPLE: THE CITIZEN AND THE 
                              CONSTITUTION

 Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I am proud to announce that the 
class from Kahuku High School of Kahuku, HI, will represent the State 
of Hawaii at the national finals of We the People: The Citizen and the 
Constitution. These Hawaii students will join the more than 1,200 
students from across the country that will visit Washington, DC, to 
take part in the We the People national competition to be held during 
the first week of May. These outstanding students, through their 
knowledge of the U.S. Constitution, won Hawaii's statewide competition 
and earned the chance to come to our Nation's Capital and compete at 
the national level.
  The We the People program is administered by the Center for Civic 
Education and is an extensive educational program developed 
specifically to educate young people about the U.S. Constitution and 
Bill of Rights. The 3-day competition is modeled after hearings in the 
U.S. Congress and provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate 
their knowledge before a panel of adult judges while they evaluate, 
take, and defend positions on relevant historical and contemporary 
issues. Their testimony is followed by questions designed to probe the 
students' depth of understanding and ability to apply their 
constitutional knowledge.
  I would like to recognize the following 25 Kahuku students that will 
be representing the State of Hawaii: Samuel Braden, Chelsey Bunker, 
Stacia Colton, Brian Craycroft, Tusi Esera, Lacey Golonka, Evelyn 
Griffin, Reis Harney, Celesta Hubner, Jeremy James, Natalie Kamauoha, 
Jennifer Kamiya, Azura Iversen-Keahi, Tiffany Lee, Brook McArthur, 
Donna Ramos, Leilani Relator, Alicia Reidy, Aaron Rillamas, Jordan 
Williams, Austin Spring, Ian Tapu, Alexandra Thompson, Rachel Tolleson, 
and Seini Unga. I would especially like to thank their teacher, Ms. 
Sandra Cashman, for once again seizing this opportunity to empower and 
educate students about the significance of the American institutions of 
constitutional democracy. I am confident that the students will step up 
to the challenges presented in this competition and they will give a 
stellar performance.
  As one who formerly taught at Kahuku High School, I take a special 
pride in these students' accomplishments. I know that it is because of 
school and parental support, dedication, and commitment that these 
students were empowered and encouraged to excel in this arena. I wish 
these students the best of luck at the We the People national finals 
and applaud their achievement. These students have no doubt made 
everyone in their school, their families, and their friends proud of 
what they have achieved. We should all be proud that they are learning 
and advocating the fundamental ideas that identify us as a people and 
bind us together as a nation. Let the students' enthusiasm and active 
participation in shaping their understanding of government serve as a 
model for all citizens to follow.

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