[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 97 (Tuesday, June 11, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E739]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





 IN RECOGNITION OF DENVER EAST HIGH SCHOOL'S `WE THE PEOPLE' NATIONAL 
                         FINALS FIRST PLACE WIN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 11, 2019

  Ms. DeGETTE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Denver East 
High School on its first-place finish in the 2019 national finals of 
the `We the People' competition sponsored by the Center for Civic 
Education. The students and teachers of the Denver East High School 
team should feel exceptionally proud of this outstanding achievement.
   After winning the Colorado statewide `We the People' competition, 
Denver East High School traveled here to Washington, D.C. where they 
prevailed over the competition to bring home first-place. The students 
of the Denver East High School team demonstrated exceptional skill and 
character as they worked towards this well-deserved win. I know that 
the lessons learned, and knowledge gained through this experience will 
be invaluable to the students throughout their lives and future 
careers, no matter what path they take.
   Each year over 1,200 high school students from across the nation 
come together to learn about and debate the issues of the day. They 
participate in simulated congressional hearings, testifying as 
constitutional experts before panels of judges acting as congressional 
committees. Students demonstrate their knowledge of the U.S. 
Constitution as well as a variety of topics connected to our country's 
historical and political heritage.
   Robust civic education is the foundation of our democracy and is key 
to its future success. Informed citizenship in our youth is a primary 
factor of this future success. The students who participate in this 
competition inspire us all to be more informed citizens.
   Madam Speaker, I would like to give special recognition to the 
incredible teachers who led the Denver East High School team. Susan 
McHugh and Matt Fulford have provided vital mentorship and guidance to 
these students, and their work with this team is a testament to the 
quality of teachers we have in the Denver Public school system. The 
winning team included Sam Anderson, Grant Austin, Kennedy Austin, Jack 
Beardshear, Max Boubin, Rebecca Chapman, Hayden Christopher, Henry Fox, 
Jessica Freedberg, Aidan Glennie, Sophie Goldberg, Alexa Goldstein, 
Ethan Gutterman, Ben Hamik, Anja Hutson, Marco Jimenez, Aiden Kahn, 
Ballard Kauffman, Madison Moore, Maggie Morrison, Matthew Nekritz, 
Amelia Nugent, Maddie Parker, Isabella Sanderson, Abby Schuman, Lulu 
Scully, Ella Snyder, Kacey Tanner, Elena Thoman, and Walker Young. 
Congratulations to all, and we are all so proud of their wonderful 
accomplishment. I wish them continued success in all their future 
endeavors.

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