[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 34 (Wednesday, February 28, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S2353]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   2007 WE THE PEOPLE NATIONAL FINALS

 Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the more 
than 1,200 students from across the country who will visit Washington, 
DC, 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 to educate young people about the U.S. Constitution 
and Bill of Rights.
  I am proud to announce that the State of Oregon will be represented 
by Grant High School from Portland 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 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. 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 enlightened and engaged 
citizenry.
  Mr. President, the names of these outstanding students from Grant 
High School are:
  Phoebe Anderson-Dana, Alex Barbour, Rachael Bortin, Rachael Bosworth, 
Andrew Carlson, Alma Chapa, Daniel Cruse, Casey Daline, Camille 
Faulkner, Rebecca Fischer, Laura Harris, Tiffany Harrison, Kristin 
Ivie, Mark Johnston, Madeline Jones, Jennifer Kemp, Sally Larkins, 
Sarah Lazzeroni, Julia Liedel, Benjamin MacCormack-Gelles, Edward 
Maisha, Zachary Mayer, Eamon McMahon, Asumi Ohgushi, Phung Phan, 
Stephanie Phoutrides, Hugh Runyun, Riley Scheid, Emily Schorr, Cassidy 
Slaughter-Mason, Annie Soga, Jack Stephens, Annabelle Thomas, Annika 
Tohlen, and Kathleen Ward.
  I also commend the teacher of the class, Mr. Geoff Henderson, who is 
responsible for preparing these young constitutional experts for the 
national finals. Also worthy of special recognition is Ms. Marilyn 
Cover, the State coordinator, and Ms. Diane Thelen-Sager, the district 
coordinator, who are among those responsible for implementing the We 
the People program in my State.
  This group of students from Grant High School has brought pride to 
the State of Oregon, and I ask my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating them for their exceptional achievement.

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