[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 44 (Thursday, April 14, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S3649]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE SPEARFISH HIGH SCHOOL PARTICIPANTS IN THE ``WE THE 
                          PEOPLE'' COMPETITION

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, on April 30-May 2, 2005, more than 
1,200 students from across the United States will visit Washington, DC, 
to compete in the national finals of We the People: The Citizen and the 
Constitution Program. This is the most extensive educational program in 
the country developed specifically to educate young people about the 
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 act of Congress.
  I am proud to announce that the class from Spearfish High School will 
represent the state of South Dakota 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 3-day We the People national competition is modeled after 
hearings in the U.S. 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, develop, 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 curricular materials at upper 
elementary, middle, and high school levels. The curriculum not only 
enhances students' understanding of the institutions of American 
constitutional democracy, it also helps them identify the contemporary 
relevance of the 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.
  The class from Spearfish High School is currently preparing for their 
participation in the national competition in Washington, DC. 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 that we hold as standards in our 
endeavor to preserve and realize the promise of our constitutional 
democracy. Congratulations to Bethany Baker, Brandon Bentley, Hannah 
Bucher, Meghan Byrum, Joe Cooch, Jenna Eddy, Elise Foltz, Amber Ginter, 
Meggan Joachim, Frankelly Martinez Garcia, Lauren Meyers, Jason Nies, 
Emily Oldekamp, Aly Oswald, Jessica Richey, Lauren Schempf, Lindsay 
Senden, Janette Sigle, Nick Smith, Brent Swisher, Calli Tetrault, 
Kaysie Tope, and their teacher, Patrick Gainey. I wish these young 
constitutional scholars the very best at the We the People national 
finals.

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