The We the People program is a dynamic, national civic education program that helps elementary and secondary students understand the history and principles of constitutional government. The Center for Civic Education, funded by the United States Congress, nationally administers We the People . Recently, Congress has also funded the Center for Civic Education to introduce We the People in the emerging democracies of South America and the former Eastern European Block. The Missouri Bar serves as the state coordinator for We the People programs in Missouri. The culminating activity is a simulated congressional hearing on various aspects of the Constitution.
Students participate at district, state and national levels.
We the People state finals on January 29 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City. Eight schools, more than 170 students and more than 50 volunteers participated in the event. The volunteers were politicians, judges, attorneys, college professors, teachers and other professionals who served as judges, facilitators and timers for the event. United States Representatives Kenny Hulshof of the Ninth Congressional District and JoAnn Emerson of the Eighth Congressional District greeted the students and served as judges. Judges Duane Benton, John Holstein and Stephen Limbaugh of the Supreme Court of Missouri were also among those who served as judges.