[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5578]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            WE THE PEOPLE: THE CITIZEN AND THE CONSTITUTION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 6, 2003

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, on April 26, 2003, more than 1,200 students 
from across the country will compete in the national finals of the We 
the People: The Citizen and the Constitution program in Washington, DC. 
This program is the most extensive educational program in the country, 
developed specifically to educate young students about the Constitution 
and the Bill of Rights. The We the People program, administered by the 
Center for Civic Education, is funded by the U.S. Department of 
Education by act of Congress.
  I am proud to announce that the class from East Brunswick High School 
will represent the state of New Jersey in the program's finals. These 
students have worked conscientiously to reach the national finals by 
participating at local and statewide competitions. In the past fifteen 
years, these young scholars have won the state competition fourteen 
times, an accomplishment that should not go unnoticed. Through their 
experience, they have gained a deep knowledge and understanding of 
fundamental principles and values of our constitutional democracy. It 
is a great honor that students from the 12th District in New Jersey 
have shown such dedication and interest in our nation's government.
  The three-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 challenging questions 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' appreciation 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 to become 
active, responsible citizens.
  The class from East Brunswick 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 the values and principles fundamental to 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 and continued success in 
their endeavors.

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