[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 4630]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING MARION HIGH SCHOOL

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, on April 26, 2003, more than 1,200 
students from across the United States will visit Washington, DC to 
compete in the national finals of the We the People: The Citizen and 
the Constitution program, the most extensive educational program in the 
country developed specifically to educate young people about the 
Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Administered by the Center for 
Civic Education, the We the People program is funded by the U.S. 
Department of Education by act of Congress.
  I am proud to announce that the class from Marion High School will 
represent the State of South Dakota in this national event. These young 
scholars have worked conscientiously to reach the national finals by 
participating at local and statewide competitions. As a result of their 
experience they have gained a deep knowledge and understanding of the 
fundamental principles and values of our constitutional democracy.
  The 3-day We the People national competition is modeled after 
hearings in the United States Congress. The hearings consist of oral 
presentations by high school students before a panel of adult judges on 
constitutional topics. The students are given an opportunity to 
demonstrate their knowledge while they evaluate, take, and defend 
positions on relevant historical and contemporary issues. Their 
testimony is followed by a period of questioning by the judges who 
probe the students' depth of understanding and ability to apply their 
constitutional knowledge.
  The We the People program provides curricular materials at upper 
elementary, middle, and high school levels. The curriculum not only 
enhances students' understanding of the institutions of American 
constitutional democracy, it also helps them identify the contemporary 
relevance of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Critical thinking 
exercises, problem-solving activities, and cooperative learning 
techniques help develop participatory skills necessary for students to 
become active, responsible citizens.
  The class from Marion High School is currently preparing for their 
participation in the national competition in Washington, DC. It is 
inspiring to see these young people advocate the fundamental ideals and 
principles of our government, ideas that identify us as a people and 
bind us together as a nation. It is important for future generations to 
understand these values and principles which we hold as standards in 
our endeavor to preserve and realize the promise of our constitutional 
democracy. I wish these young ``constitutional experts'' the best of 
luck at the We the People national finals.

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