[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 56 (Wednesday, May 10, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E777]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING WE THE PEOPLE KANSAS CLASS ON RECEIVING MOUNTAIN/PLAINS 
   STATES REGIONAL AWARD AT NATIONAL COMPETITION ON THE CONSTITUTION

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                           HON. DENNIS MOORE

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 10, 2006

  Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, from April 29 to May 1, 2006, 
approximately 1,200 students from across the country participated in 
the national finals competition 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. I am pleased to announce that Saint 
Thomas Aquinas High School from Overland Park, Kansas received the 
Mountain/Plains States Regional Award in the competition. 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.
  The We the People national finals is a three-day academic competition 
that simulates a congressional hearing in which the students testify 
before a panel of judges on constitutional topics. Students demonstrate 
their knowledge and understanding of constitutional principles as they 
evaluate, take, and defend positions on relevant historical and 
contemporary issues. Among the questions students responded to in the 
competition includes: Is judicial review essential for the functioning 
of our American constitutional democracy? Explain and justify your 
position.
  Mr. Speaker, I'm proud of these outstanding students from Saint 
Thomas Aquinas High School: Danny Akright, Carrie Brand, Rob Conard, 
Andrew Conde, John Darnell, Evan Daugharthy, Kelsey Gustafson, Ben 
Haefele, Anthony Halling, Steve Hengeli, Jennifer Kinkade, Sarah 
Kuhlmann, Sinom Longhi, Christy Millweard, Evan Pederson, Sarah Potter, 
Patrick Short, Caitlin Thornbrugh, Jenny Timmons, Patrick Trouba, and 
Paul Wooten.
  I also wish to commend the teacher of the class, Spencer Clark, who 
was responsible for preparing the student class for the national finals 
competition. Also worthy of special recognition are Lynn Stanley, the 
state coordinator and Ken Thomas, the district coordinator, who are 
among those responsible for implementing the We the People program in 
my district.
  Mr. Speaker and my colleagues in the House, please join me in 
congratulating these young constitutional experts for their outstanding 
achievement.

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