[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 82 (Thursday, June 22, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S6416]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page S6416]]
                      OUR LADY OF LOURDES ACADEMY

 Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, today I congratulate Our 
Lady of Lourdes Academy for its success in the national final of We the 
People: The Citizen and the Constitution. This competition is designed 
to educate young people about the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. 
I am pleased to announce that Our Lady of Lourdes Academy from Miami, 
FL placed fourth in the competition. It is fitting that I make this 
statement just as we celebrate my friend from West Virginia, Senator 
Byrd, who has spent a lifetime talking about the need for our kids to 
learn about our Constitution.
  The We the People national final is a 3-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 
debate positions on relevant historical and contemporary issues. Mr. 
President, the names of these outstanding students from Our Lady of 
Lourdes Academy are: Nicole Azzi, Marta Bakas, Heidi Balsa, Caroline 
Buckler, Victoria Cabrera, Tatiana Estrada, Christi Falco, Monica Font, 
Gabrielle Gonzalez, Patricia Herold, Kristina Infante, Janine Lopez, 
Vanessa Mallol, Christina Martinez, Nina Martinez, Alina Mejer, Natalie 
Mencio, Natalie Perez, Gabriela Rosell, Anita Viciana, and Erica 
Watkins. They are taught by Rosie Heffernan. Additional recognition 
goes to Annette Boyd Pitts and John Doyle, who help coordinate the 
program in the great State of Florida.
  Mr. President and my colleagues in the Senate, please join me in 
congratulating these young constitutional scholars for their 
outstanding achievement.

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