[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 33 (Wednesday, February 25, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E444-E445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE ``WE 
            THE PEOPLE'' MIDDLE SCHOOL SHOWCASE COMPETITION

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 25, 2009

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise to ask the House to join me in 
congratulating the remarkable students from The SEED Public Charter 
School and DC Preparatory Academy. Students from these schools 
participated in We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Middle 
School Showcase on January 7, 2009 for the District of Columbia at the 
Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives and demonstrated a remarkable 
understanding of the fundamental principles of our nation.
  The students participated in a simulated congressional hearing where 
they responded to questions on the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights 
from a panel of adult judges. They responded to questions about English 
philosopher John Locke's view of the purposes of government, the 
principles embedded in the Declaration of Independence, the compromises 
made at the Philadelphia Convention, how the Constitution protects our 
most basic rights, and rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
  The We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution is administered 
by the Center for Civic Education and funded by the U.S. Department of 
Education under the Education for Democracy Act approved by the U.S. 
Congress. It is one of the best programs in the nation to promote a 
deep understanding of the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and 
the principles they embody.
  I would also like to congratulate teachers LaTonya Davis at DC 
Preparatory Academy and Ian Milne at The SEED Public Charter School who 
did an exceptional job preparing these young students. I also wish to 
commend Justin Rydstrom, the state coordinator for the We the People 
program in the District of Columbia. Special recognition should be 
given to the National Capital Lawyer's Auxiliary who provided 
volunteers to make the event a success.
  Madam Speaker, I am pleased to submit the names of these young 
``constitutional experts'' for special recognition by our colleagues in 
the House of Representatives and wish them the best of luck as they 
develop into the future leaders of our nation.
  The SEED School: Dymond Andrews, Roshae Ball, Chandler Connelly, 
Ashley DaCosta, Jevian Gudger, Makayla Head, Joseph Johnson, Loria 
Pate, Janell Proctor, Michael Moore, Shamari Pratt, Latiece Smith, 
Daa'Jah Wallace, and Chardae Walter.
  DC Prep: Tawfiq Abdul-Karim, Saqwan Adams, Rashawn Alexander, Hakeem 
Bello, Kyleisha Byrd, Deshaun Cannady, Jennifer Carter, Marc Childs, 
Carl Costley, William Delaney, Desmond Dixon, Jade Dixon, Shaquille 
Hall, Tony Hansford, DeVante' Hendren, Lundon Hudgens, Aleia Johnson, 
Keith Kelly, Martin Marshall, Denzel Mitchell, Kenny Montague, Ken 
Mutamba, Ryan Perkins, Melissa Reid, Jessica Robinson, Renita Robinson, 
Jonnae Spann, Ricardo McCrary Steward, Wesley Tebo, Brianna Thomas,

[[Page E445]]

Eddie Vann, Jada Vereene, Taurus White, and Mari Roe Wills.

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