[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 9, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1000]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO PARTICIPANTS IN 2007 WE THE PEOPLE NATIONAL FINALS MARCH 8, 
                                  2007

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DENNIS MOORE

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 9, 2007

  Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, from April 28-30, 2007, more than 
1,200 students from across the country visited 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 to educate young people about the U.S. Constitution and Bill 
of Rights. Administered by the Center for Civic Education, the We the 
People program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education by act of 
Congress.
  I am proud to announce that a class from St. Thomas Aquinas High 
School of Overland Park, Kansas won the Unit Three: Constitution Shapes 
Institutions Award at this prestigious national event. Six unit awards 
were presented to the schools achieving the highest scores, based on 
the first two days of competition in each of the six units of the We 
the People: The Citizen and the Constitution text. 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 participated in a three-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. It is important to note that independent studies 
of the We the People program indicate that alumni of this nationally 
acclaimed 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 
various reports and surveys that reveal the lack of civic knowledge and 
engagement, I am pleased to support such an outstanding program that 
continues to produce an enlightened and responsible citizenry.
  Madam Speaker, the names of these outstanding students from St. 
Thomas Aquinas High School are:
  Elizabeth Berra, Andrew Billam, Hannah Cisper, John Clark, Greg 
Correia, Lindsey Drilling, John Drouhard, Shanna Gast, Whitney 
Gremillion, Kyle Hauesser, Brigid Halling, Michael Hare, Thomas 
Hartung, Jordan Herbert, Kaitlyn Hirt, Kelly Jefferson, Ryan Johnson, 
Andrea Lickteig, Joseph McGroder, Mason Miller, Helen Mubarak, Andrew 
Peck, Derek Peterson, Erin Peterson, Andrew Robison, Christopher 
Sevedge, Dylan Slaven, and Melissa Smith.
  I also wish to commend the teacher of the class, Spencer Clark, who 
is responsible for preparing these young constitutional experts for the 
national finals. Also worthy of special recognition is 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 State.
  I congratulate these students on their exceptional achievement at the 
We the People national finals.

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