[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 71 (Thursday, May 1, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E795]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO ELKINS HIGH SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NICK LAMPSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 2008

  Mr. LAMPSON. Madam Speaker, on May 3-5, 2008, more than 1,200 
students from across the country will visit 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 Elkins High School will 
represent the State of Texas 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 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.
  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 Elkins High School are: 
Krystal Castillo, Andrea Cavazos, Deborah Choate, Andrew Cockroft, Lucy 
Eiler, Jimmy Guerrero, Josh Hanks, Lara Hogue, Nick Johnson, Tiffany 
Kell, Curtis Kelso, D.J. Kinneman, Matt Macko, Colton Mendez, Jonny 
Murthy, Sola Oyewuwo, Tej Pandya, Bryan Philpott, Justina Rodriguez, 
Deepa Sabu, Nick Shipman, Pia Siaotong, Ivette Soto, Achal Upadhyaya, 
Courtney Williams, Angela Wu, and Arif Yusuf.
  I also wish to commend the teacher of the class, Marilyn Ellington, 
who is responsible for preparing these young constitutional experts for 
the national finals. Assisting Mrs. Ellington is her colleague Jan 
Arrington and former students Emily Lee, Kelsey Smith, and Masha Sharf. 
Also worthy of special recognition is Jan Miller, the State 
coordinator, who is 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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