[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 134 (Thursday, September 18, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S5861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            CONSTITUTION DAY

 Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, September 17 was Constitution Day--a 
day when folks are encouraged to teach and learn about the 
Constitution. I would like to recognize the middle and high school 
students from across the Nation who traveled to the U.S. Capitol 
yesterday in honor of Constitution and Citizenship Day.
  I would also like to recognize the students unable to travel to 
Washington, DC, who are no less engaged in their studies of the 
Constitution and citizenship, specifically the many students in my home 
State of Oregon who have shown a strong commitment to civic engagement. 
These young Oregonians have demonstrated a willingness to get involved 
in their communities and work for positive change and are an example of 
the important role community involvement plays in developing a strong 
society.
  Of the students able to be in Washington, DC, on Constitution Day, I 
would particularly like to recognize several middle school students 
from Oregon who visited my office yesterday.
  Alyssa Etheridge and several of her classmates from South Middle 
School located in Grants Pass, OR, dedicated every day of the last 
school year to honor the 142 Oregon soldiers who made the ultimate 
sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan. These young women created the Bayard 
Wilkeson Project--named for a Civil War officer killed at the battle of 
Gettysburg--a Web site designed to educate Oregonians about the lives 
of those servicemembers from our State who have given their lives for 
our country.
  Coming from Portland, OR, William Britton and his seventh grade class 
from Southwest Charter School studied and considered the problem of 
outdoor secondhand smoke, and its impact on the health of their 
community. They conducted surveys, interviews, and lobbied some of 
their local elected officials to control secondhand smoke exposure.
  It is wonderful to see these students participate so actively in the 
democratic process, and it is truly heartening to see so many young 
people taking the time to get involved and express their opinions. I am 
pleased to be able to recognize the commitment and dedication these 
young Oregonians have shown to better their communities and urge them 
to keep up their good works.

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