2002 Ron Paul 26:1
Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay
honor to the Calhoun High School “We the
People . . . the Citizen and the Constitution”
team from Port Lavaca, Calhoun County,
Texas. Under the exemplary leadership of
Gennie Burleson Westbrook, the 2001–2002
Calhoun High School team placed third in the
statewide competition held on Janaury 5,
2002, at the University of Texas Law School
in Austin, Texas, which was hosted by the
State Bar of Texas. The team included the following
students: Karin Chen, Candice Cook,
Chelsea Ghiselin, Tiffany Harvey, Kimberlee
Hobizal, Major Hoffman, Stephen Jedlicka,
Scott Kelly, Josh McClellan, Thomas Nguyen,
Matt Thomas, Vanessa Thorne, and Andrew
Wu.
2002 Ron Paul 26:2
The “We the People” program was begun in
1987, with the goal of enhancing students’ understanding
of the institutions of American
constitutional democracy, while guiding them
to discover modern day applications of the
Constitution and the Bill if Rights. It is a time
consuming study requiring many hours of
preparation, both in and out of the classroom.
Each participant takes a multiple-choice test,
and prepares for a simulated Congressional
hearing in which students “testify” before a
panel of judges.
2002 Ron Paul 26:3
Following a prepared five-minute presentation
covering specific topics demonstrating
their knowledge and understanding of constitutional
principals, the judges quizzed the students
with thought-provoking questions pertaining
to their subject. The students took and
defended their positions, using both historic
and contemporary examples.
2002 Ron Paul 26:4
Preparation for the state contest also required
assistance from members of the community
who came forward to volunteer to work
with the team members. I salute the following
volunteers: Connie Hunt, Mark Daigle, Shannon
Salyer, Britney Salyer, Edris Montalvo,
Darren Hartl, Joane McDonough, Phillip
Swope, and Larry Nichols.
2002 Ron Paul 26:5
I am proud to have these students in the
14th Congressional District of Texas. I am
proud of the commitment to excellence and
perseverance shown by each student. I am
proud of the support shown by the parents
and volunteers which helped them reach for
their goal.
2002 Ron Paul 26:6
I trust all my colleagues join me in congratulating
the 2001–2002 “We the People . . . the
Citizen and the Constitution” team on their
third place win in state competition.
