[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E456]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATIONS TO MAIN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL'S WE THE PEOPLE: THE 
                  CITIZEN AND THE CONSTITUTION PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 29, 2006

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKI. Mr. Speaker, from April 29-May 1, 2006, approximately 
1,200 students from across the country will visit Washington, D.C., to 
take part in the national finals of We the People: The Citizen and the 
Constitution, the most extensive educational program in the country 
developed specifically to educate young people about the U.S. 
Constitution and Bill of Rights. The We the People program is 
administered by the Center for Civic Education and funded by the U.S. 
Department of Education by act of Congress.
  I am proud to announce that a team from Maine Township High School, 
located in my Congressional district, will represent the State of 
Illinois in this prestigious national event. These outstanding 
students, through their knowledge of the Constitution, won their 
statewide competition and earned the chance to come to our nation's 
capital and compete at the national level.
  While in Washington, the students will participate in a 3-day 
academic competition that simulates a congressional hearing in which 
they ``testify'' before a panel of judges. Students demonstrate their 
knowledge and understanding of constitutional principles as they 
evaluate, take, and defend positions on relevant historical and 
contemporary issues.
  We the People students display great political tolerance and 
commitment to the principles and values of the Constitution and Bill of 
Rights. With many reports and surveys indicating the lack of civic 
knowledge and civic participation, I am pleased to support such a 
superb program that is producing an engaged citizenry.
  Mr. Speaker, the names of the outstanding students from Maine 
Township who will be participating in the national finals are:
  Lauren Allegretti, Cailin Bake, Katy Bratko, J.P. Carolan, Liz Chao, 
Rebecca Christopher, George Gianakakos, Melissa Hansen, Katherine 
Hapeman, Andrew Juiris, Natalie Kociubinski, David Krone, Chris 
Lenzini, Matt Lenzini, Meghan Machon, Meghan McKelvey, Christine 
Recsetar, Pat Rhine, Mike Ross, Janelle Santos, Christina Solari, 
Amanda Swanson, Bill Warnock, and Mary Yu.
  I also wish to commend their teacher, Andrew Trenkle, who is 
responsible for preparing these young constitutional experts for the 
national finals. Also worthy of special recognition is Patton Feichter, 
the state coordinator, and John Heuman, the district coordinator, who 
are among those responsible for implementing the We the People program 
in my district.
  I wish these students much success as they prepare to compete at the 
We the People national finals, and I applaud their outstanding 
achievement.




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