[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 26 (Monday, February 12, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1845-S1846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     WE THE PEOPLE NATIONAL FINALS

 Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, from April 28-30, 2007, more than 
1,200 students from across the country will visit Washington, DC, to 
take part in the national finals of We the People: The Citizen and the 
Constitution, an important program developed to educate young people 
about the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. The We the People 
program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and administered 
by the Center for Civics Education.
  I am proud to announce that the State of New Mexico will be 
represented by a class from Highland High School from Albuquerque at 
this prestigious national event. These outstanding students, through 
their knowledge of the U.S. 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

[[Page S1846]]

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 and defend positions on relevant historical and contemporary 
issues. Independent studies show that students in the We the People 
program display a greater political tolerance and commitment to the 
principles and values of the Constitution and Bill of Rights than do 
students using traditional textbooks and approaches. With many reports 
and surveys indicating the lack of civic knowledge and civic 
participation, I am pleased to support such a valuable program that is 
producing an enlightened and engaged citizenry.
  The names of these outstanding students from Highland High School 
are:
  Aaron A, Adams, Allison J. Anglin, Richard S. Baca, Laura E. Baldwin, 
Kristy R. Calderon, Daniel Chavez, Danielle N. Easley, Heather L. 
Goldberg, Gabriel J. Hogan, Peyton K. Holloway, Martha A. Muna, Denise 
H. Ortiz, Milagro Padilla, Catherine U. Pham, Long Pham, Mark Ridder, 
Evan D. Root, Whitney A. Sousa, and Ruby R. Watkins.
  I also wish to commend the teachers of the class, Bob Coffey and 
Steve Seth, who are responsible for preparing these young contestants 
for the national finals. Also worthy of special recognition is Dora 
Marroquin, the State coordinator, and Patricia Carpeneter, the district 
coordinator, who are among those responsible for implementing the We 
the People program in my State.
  I wish these students much success as they prepare to compete at the 
We the People national finals and applaud their great 
achievement.

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