George Hochbrueckner: “I rise in strong support for H.R. 6, the Improving America's Schools Act, and specifically, title III, part F of the…”

“I rise in strong support for H.R. 6, the Improving America's Schools Act, and specifically, title III, part F of the bill which funds the important ``We the People'' civic education program. ``We the People'' is an outstanding program of instruction and competition in the basic principles of the U.S. Constitution. Every year, close to 1 million students in classrooms across our Nation spend months studying our Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Students work together to learn about the development and the basic principles of constitutional democracy. After gaining a core understanding of the principles of our Government and the rights and responsibilities of citizens, classmates then compete together in the annual ``We the People'' National Bicentennial Competition on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The program culminates in a national final competition in Washington. Importantly, the ``We the People'' Program is extremely cost effective. For a relatively minor investment, we are educating and empowering close to 1 million students every year to be informed citizens who are willing and able to make a positive contribution to addressing the critical issues of our Nation. Mr. Chairman, the ``We the People'' Program has been a huge success in my congressional district on Long Island. I have been enormously impressed by the knowledge and enthusiasm of students participating in the program.”