For Immediate Release
	CONTACT: Teresa Weidemann-Smith State Bar of Wisconsin (800) 444-9404, ext. 6025 twsmith@wisbar.org

Project Citizen to host Chinese Delegation
Wisconsin's program chosen as host out of 50 states

MADISON, May 11, 2005 - The State Bar of Wisconsin will host a 9-member Chinese Delegation for the 2005 "We the People ... Project Citizen" State Portfolio Showcase Competition at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 13 at the State Bar, 5302 Eastpark Boulevardin Madison.  Fifteen statewide middle school portfolios will be judged to determine the state winner to represent Wisconsin in the Project Citizen National Showcase competition in August in Seattle, Washington.  All 50 states offer the Project Citizen program and are funded though the Center for Civic Education (CCE).

"We are honored that the Center for Civic Education chose Wisconsin as the host for the Chinese delegation because of the quality of our Project Citizen program," said Charles "Chuttie" Senn, State Bar of Wisconsin Law-related Education Committee Chair.  "This is quite an honor for our state's program and a great opportunity to highlight the educational benefits of Project Citizen and the State Bar's involvement."

Schools (by city) participating in the portfolio showcase and their portfolio projects include:

Adams: Adams-Friendship Middle School - Vandalism: Illusive Costly Crime
De Forest: De Forest Middle School - Changing School Computer Policy
Grantsburg: Grantsburg Middle School - Let's Stop Party Spots
Greendale: Greendale Middle School - Drug Prevention Files
Greenfield: Whitnall Middle School - Struggling Students
Markesan: Markesan Middle School - Markesan Community Events Committee Makes Room for Youth
Milwaukee: Blessed Sacrament School - Stop Bullying Before It Starts
Milwaukee: Salam School - We Want to Breathe
Muskego: Muskego Girl Scouts, Troop 429 - Kids Just Want to Have Fun
Neenah: Shattuck Middle School - Healthier School Food Choices
Wauwatosa: St. Jude the Apostle - The Circus is No Place for Abuse
West Allis: Heritage Christian Middle School - Obesity and Fast Food

We the People...Project Citizen, a curricular program for middle school students, promotes competent and responsible participation in local and state government by helping students to learn how to monitor and influence public policy.   In the process, they develop support for democratic values and principles, tolerance, and feelings of political efficacy.  The "We the People...Project Citizen" showcase will conclude with oral hearing presentations by the students at the State Capitol on Saturday, May 14 beginning at 8:30 a.m.

For more information, contact Dee Runaas, State Bar of Wisconsin Law-related Education Coordinator at drunaas@wisbar.org or visit www.legalexplorer.com.

The State Bar of Wisconsin is the mandatory professional association, created by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, for attorneys who hold a Wisconsinlaw license. With nearly 22,000 members, the State Bar aids the courts in improving the administration of justice, provides continuing legal education for its members to help them maintain their expertise, and assists Wisconsinlawyers in carrying out community service initiatives to educate the public about the legal system and the value of lawyers.

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