Political Quotes

“19 students from Valley View High School in my hometown of Jonesboro, Arkansas, have been studying our Nation's constitutional democracy for several months in an intensive course. The course called We the People is taught to students particularly interested in the history and principles of the United States Government. Last week, those students put their knowledge to the ultimate test in Washington, D.C. They competed in a simulated congressional hearing by evaluating, taking, and defending positions on a variety of historical and contemporary issues. Our government functions more efficiently when passionate citizens engage in the political and policymaking process, and I am proud that these students are already preparing themselves for that process through their education. Traci Smith, the group's civics teacher, deserves our thanks and respect for the incredibly important role that she plays in preparing our rising generation. I would also like to applaud the efforts of the We the People Arkansas State coordinator, Jeff Whittingham, associate professor at the University of Central Arkansas who has done such a remarkable job through the years organizing and directing the We the People program for our State. ____________________”