[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 65 (Wednesday, May 9, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E749]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL WE THE PEOPLE COMPETITION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 9, 2012

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, last week an outstanding group of young 
men and women from Portland, Oregon's Lincoln High School placed first 
in the national ``We the People Competition,'' a contest sponsored by 
the Classroom Law Project. It is an extraordinary program that allows 
young men and women to dive deeply into constitutional theory and the 
legislative process, and understand what it all means for contemporary 
America in an all-too-often dysfunctional political arena.
  Over the years, it's been my privilege to work with instructors and 
students on these programs, to have watched them prepare for hours at a 
time, and watch them celebrate their successes. In the Portland Public 
School District, we are particularly proud of our high schools Lincoln 
and Grant, who have competed against each other for the State title for 
more than 2 dozen years, and consistently are strong contenders at the 
national level.
  Their achievements are testimony not only to the hard work and 
intelligence of the student competitors, but also to a dedicated core 
of teachers and citizen volunteers, often prominent judges and lawyers, 
and alumni of the program who continue their involvement long after 
they cease to be students. A special shout-out this year and every year 
should go to Lincoln instructor Tim Swinehart, local attorney Steve 
Griffith and his volunteer team, and the extraordinarily supportive 
principal, Peyton Chapman.
  As I met with the Lincoln team earlier this spring in preparation for 
the national championships, it was clear to me that this was a stellar 
team even by the standards of this terrific program. That they won this 
year with a team largely composed of sophomores makes it all the more 
an extraordinary accomplishment. I would willingly grant them voting 
privileges here in Congress.
  In addition to the dedicated coaches and volunteers, I want to 
recognize this year's winning student team. They are: Avery Ballato, 
Catherine Barton, Marty Berger, Hallie Blashfield, Ryan Bloom, Danny 
Brillhart, John Carey, Julian Dann, Julia Eckelmann, Michael Field, 
Natina Gilbert, Nikhil Goyal, Kendra Hong, Robin Jayaswal, Katie Kelly, 
Sierra Killian, John Kim, Emma Lane, Duncan MacEachern, William Mao, 
Olnita Martini, Evan Neuhausen, Sara Newman, Vicki Niu, Sammy Purnell, 
Justin Richter, Beckett Rueda, Emma Simmons, Sage Smiley, Nita 
Sridharan, Eri Stern, Mara Strauss, Molly Walls, Carolyn Wheatley, 
Ajeya Woods and Cole Zollinger.
  I urge my colleagues to become acquainted with their local high 
school constitution competition. I hope the day will come when Congress 
again gives the financial support to the Classroom Law Project for the 
civic education that is so important and so critical to preparing 
students to participate as citizens. With a stronger investment in the 
Classroom Law Project and programs like We the People, I believe we 
would all feel better about the future of the Republic.

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