[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 5988]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                 RECOGNITION OF STILLWATER HIGH SCHOOL

 Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, on May 6-8, 2000, more than 1200 
students from across the United States will be in Washington, D.C. to 
compete in the national finals of the We the People . . . The Citizen 
and the Constitution program. It is an honor for me to announce that a 
class from Stillwater Area High School will represent the state of 
Minnesota in this national event. These young scholars have worked very 
hard to reach the national finals and through their experience have 
gained a deep knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles 
and values of our constitutional democracy.
  The names of the students are: Chad Anderson, Ellen Andersen, Luke 
Anderson, Sara Apel, Rob Cole, Alexis DuPlessis, Melissa Ellis, Kim 
Garvey, Elissa Green, Kyle Knoepfel, Joey Korba, Amy Kruchowski, 
Kirsten Lindquist, Beth Manor, Emily Michnay, Alex Nelson, Steve 
Peterson, Chris Richter, Chris Siver, Stefan Tatroe, Melissa Zanmiller.
  I would also like to recognize their teacher, Kathleen Ferguson, who 
deserves much of the credit for the success of the class.
  The We the People . . . The Citizen and the Constitution program is 
the most extensive educational program in the country developed 
specifically to educate young people about the Constitution and the 
Bill of Rights. The three-day national competition is modeled after 
hearings in the United States Congress. These hearings consist of oral 
presentations by high school students before a panel of adult judges. 
The students testify as constitutional experts before a panel of judges 
representing various regions of the country and a variety of 
appropriate professional fields. The students' testimony is followed by 
a period of questioning by the simulated congressional committee. The 
judges probe students for their depth of understanding and ability to 
apply their constitutional knowledge. Columnist David Broder described 
the national finals as ``the place to have your faith in the younger 
generation restored.''
  The program provides students with a working knowledge of our 
Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the principles of democratic 
government. Members of Congress and their staff enhance the program by 
discussing current constitutional issues with students and teachers and 
by participating in other educational activities.
  I am confident the class from Stillwater High School will represent 
Minnesota well and I wish these young ``constitutional experts'' all 
the best.

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