[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 12, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E818]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CONGRATULATING THE 2010 MOUNT CARMEL SCHOOL WE THE PEOPLE TEAM

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                  HON. GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN

                         of the mariana islands

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 12, 2010

  Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, once again, the students of Mount Carmel 
School have won the honor to represent the Northern Mariana Islands in 
the annual ``We the People'' competition. Mount Carmel has a tradition 
of excellence in speech and debate and this year's group of orators 
continued that tradition with distinction.
  The competition is directed by the Center for Civic Education and 
funded by Congress through the Education for Democracy Act.
  This is a program we should continue to support. I watched the Mount 
Carmel students testify in a simulated congressional hearing on 
constitutional issues they had studied in the We the People: The 
Citizen and The Constitution textbook. The students are nothing short 
of impressive in their knowledge and their understanding of the 
historical bases and the philosophical concepts underlying the document 
that established our national government.
  Eleven hundred students from around our nation earned the right to 
come to Washington for the final competition over the weekend of April 
24th by competing against other schools in their congressional district 
and States. This is but a fraction of the students who participate and 
benefit. In its 23-year history the We the People: The Citizen and The 
Constitution program has reached more than 30 million students.
  A survey of program alumni demonstrates that students take to heart 
what they learn. Ninety-five percent of the respondents voted in the 
November 2008 election. Additionally, 76 percent voted in all previous 
elections for which they were eligible, and 56 percent had contacted a 
government official regarding a public issue during the previous 12 
months.
  As in years past the We the People program honored a member of 
Congress with the Dale E. Kildee Civitas Award. Chairman David Obey was 
this year's recipient for his contribution to the field of civic 
education. I congratulate the Chairman for this recognition; and, 
again, I urge my colleagues to support this worthwhile program.
  Now I'd like to recognize the Mount Carmel team members by name: 
Matthew Aquino, Geza Baka, III, Maria Balajadia, Ryanne Camacho, Ericka 
Celestino, John Edward Elenzano, Ji Yeon Kim, Min Seong Kim, Savana 
Manglona, Ivan Matala, Nicoli Matala, Anthony Sablan, Nicolas Sablan, 
Troy Villafuerte, Brittany Yamagata, Calvin Yang, Joseph Yoon; and 
their coaches: Keolester Buenpacifico, Rosiky Camacho, Justice John 
Manglona, Judge Ramona Manglona; and chaperones, Maggie Sablan, Velma 
Palacios.

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