[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 9455-9456]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                       AMADOR VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELLEN O. TAUSCHER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2000

  Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of wonderful 
students from a high school in my district, Amador Valley High School. 
Twenty-one students from this school, along with their teacher, Matt 
Campbell, recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to compete in a 
national civics competition called ``We the People. . .''
  This competition is designed to promote civic competence and 
responsibility. This program is not about textbooks and tests, but 
rather a process through which students learn

[[Page 9456]]

to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.
  I am proud that in my district, we have students who care not only 
about the social sciences, but also about being involved. The 
established tradition of excellence in this competition is a testament 
to the administrators and faculty at Amador Valley High School. It 
reflects the dedication of inspiring and enthusiastic teachers.
  In a time when we decry the state of our public schools, Amador 
Valley High School shines as a light of hope for the future of our 
nation. The vision of a first-year teacher, coupled with the 
determination of these bright students, brought them beyond the 
district and state finals to our nation's capital. I am proud of this 
Mr. Campbell and his students for their remarkable journey and their 
example of excellence.
  I would like to thank these students and their teacher for taking an 
interest in American government; I would like to thank the supportive 
communities in my district who made this trip possible; and, most of 
all, I would like to thank the parents of these wonderful students, who 
have set a standard of excellence for their communities. 
Congratulations to the students from Amador Valley High School, you are 
an attribute to our nation!

                          ____________________