[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 67 (Thursday, May 6, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E777]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 IN RECOGNITION OF EAST KENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL WINNING THE REGION THREE 
    AWARD FOR THE ``WE THE PEOPLE'' 2010 NATIONAL FINALS COMPETITION

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                         HON. VERNON J. EHLERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 6, 2010

  Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to praise the students, their 
families and educators at East Kentwood High School, located in my 
Congressional District, who won the Region Three Award during the 
national finals of the 2010 ``We the People: The Citizen and the 
Constitution'' competition. The students and teacher participating in 
this year's program have shown the nation the high standard of talent 
and education found in West Michigan.
  The students studied for months before coming to Washington, DC, for 
the national finals. The team participated in a mock congressional 
hearing to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles in 
the U.S. Constitution. The team won local and state ``We the People'' 
contests to qualify for the national competition.
  I would like to recognize the following students from East Kentwood 
High School for their outstanding performance: Tacy Allan, Heather 
Anderson, Brandan Bilski, Sam Broecker, Austin Calloway, Jessica 
Dippel, Christian Erwin, Natalie Eyke, Brandon Gafford, Alex Giarmo, 
Gurgen Grigoryan, Erin Letherby, Ian Macneil, Gwenevere Mueller, 
Brynley Nadziejka, Julia Nguyen, Taylor Sanchez, and Roger Taylor. 
Their teacher, Deb Snow, also deserves a great deal of recognition for 
instilling these students with a passion to learn and providing them 
with the knowledge they needed to succeed.
  I would also like to commend the Center for Civic Education for 
putting on the ``We the People'' program and providing resources to 
schools in my district to help educators teach students about the U.S. 
Constitution. I cannot overstate how important it is for students to 
graduate from high school with a comprehensive understanding of how our 
government works. ``We the People'' programs should be recognized for 
promoting civic education, and I am pleased that it has had such a big 
impact in my district. Also worthy of special recognition are Linda 
Start and Jim Troost, the state coordinators, and Susan Laninga, the 
district coordinator who are responsible for implementing the ``We the 
People'' program in my district.
  I am very proud of the students, their families and teacher at East 
Kentwood High School for winning the Region Three Award in the ``We the 
People'' competition, and I ask my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating them for their achievement.

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