[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7568]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         CONGRATULATING THE 2007 WE THE PEOPLE NATIONAL FINALS

                                 ______
                                 

                  HON. HENRY C. ``HANK'' JOHNSON, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 23, 2007

  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Madam Speaker, from April 28-30, 2007, more 
than 1200 students from across the country will visit Washington, DC, 
to take part in the national finals of We the People: The Citizen and 
the Constitution, the most extensive educational program in the country 
developed to educate young people about the U.S. Constitution and 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 State of Georgia will be represented 
by a class from Chamblee Charter High School from Atlanta at this 
prestigious national event. These outstanding students, through their 
knowledge of the U.S. Constitution, won their statewide competition and 
earned the chance to come to our Nation's Capital and compete at the 
national level.
  While in Washington, the students will participate in a 3-day 
academic competition that simulates a congressional hearing in which 
they ``testify'' before a panel of judges. Students demonstrate their 
knowledge and understanding of constitutional principles as they 
evaluate, take, and defend positions on relevant historical and 
contemporary issues. It is important to note that results of 
independent studies of this nationally acclaimed program reveal that We 
the People . . . students have knowledge gains that are superior to 
comparison students. Students also display a greater political 
tolerance and commitment to the principles and values of the 
Constitution and Bill of Rights than do students using traditional 
textbooks and approaches. With many reports and surveys indicating the 
lack of civic knowledge and civic participation, I am pleased to 
support such a superb program that is producing an enlightened and 
engaged citizenry.
  Madam Speaker, the names of these outstanding students from Chamblee 
Charter High School are: Sara Arment, Teresa Bardagiy, Amee Chowdhury, 
Carol Coleman, Carson Dance, Petra Ehlert, Savannah Fox, Samuel 
Franklin, Elizabeth Hogan, Joseph Hutton, Martin Hwang, Jasmine 
Johnson, Jason King, Duncan Lien, Sang Oh, Laura Ownbey, Sally Phipps, 
Daniel Sok, Alexander Vidor, Kayla Vinson, and Xi Wang.
  I also wish to commend the teacher of the class, Stephen J. Rubino, 
who is responsible for preparing these young constitutional experts for 
the national finals. Also worthy of special recognition is John D. 
Hoge, the State coordinator, and John Carr, the district coordinator, 
who are among those responsible for implementing the We the People 
program in my State.
  I wish these students much success as they prepare to compete at the 
We the People national finals and applaud their exceptional 
achievement.

                          ____________________