[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 64 (Monday, May 16, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5215-S5216]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING KAHUKU HIGH SCHOOL ``WE THE PEOPLE'' TEAM

 Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, it gives me great pleasure and pride 
to announce that students from Kahuku High School, on the Island of 
Oahu, honorably represented Hawaii at the national finals of ``We the 
People: The Citizen and the Constitution.'' These Hawaii students 
joined more than 1,200

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students from across the country to visit Washington, DC, and take part 
in national competition during the first week of May. These bright 
students showcased their exemplary knowledge of the U.S. Consitution, 
and did my State proud against competition from other States. I applaud 
the achievement of the Kahuku students for placing in the Top 10 of 
National Finalists out of the 51 schools participating.
  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 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 recognize the following 23 Kahuku students who proudly represented 
the State of Hawaii: Genevieve Allen, Yesenia Arevalo, Amanda Baize, 
Bonnie Cameron, Meri Ching, Dannah Christensen, Krystle Corpuz, Oliver 
Howells, Lorna Kekua, Jokke Kokkonen, Jacquelyn Lautaha, William Law, 
Catalina Markowitz, Ajri McArthur, Sara Mirels, Brad Rasmussen, Ashley 
Rillamas, Lizette Sauque, Noelle Spring, Shirly Tagayuna, Joseph 
Trisolini, and Morgan Wright. I especially thank their teacher, Ms. 
Sandra Cashman, for once again seizing this opportunity to educate 
students about the significance of the American institutions of 
constitutional democracy. The mere fact that Kahuku students competed 
here for 11 of the last 12 ``We the People'' competitions is a 
testament to Ms. Cashman's skills as a civics education teacher.
  As a former Kahuku High School teacher, I take pride in these 
students who rose to the challenges presented in this competition, and 
gave impressive performances. 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. These students have no 
doubt made everyone in their school, their families, and their friends 
proud of what they achieved. We should all recognize that they are 
learning and advocating the fundamental ideas that identify us as a 
people and bind us together as a nation. The zeal and diligence these 
students showed in their understanding of Government ought to serve as 
a symbol for all citizens to pursue.

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