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• Tuesday, April 29, 2014

  Legislators Announce Funding for Legion’s Boys & Girls State

  UTICA – State Sens. Joseph A. Griffo and David J. Valesky have announced that the state budget includes, for the first time, funding for American Legion Boys State and American Legion Auxiliary’s Empire Girls State.

  Morrisville State College will receive $100,000 to defray the cost of hosting 1,100 high school students for Boys’ State, which will be held from June 27 to July 3. The College at Brockport will receive $50,000 to cover some costs related to hosting more than 360 high school students for Empire Girls State, which will be held June 30 to July 6.

  

  State Sen. Joe Griffo addresses Boys State.

  “At Boys and Girls State, teenagers learn what it truly takes to be an engaged citizen. It’s an immersive experience in building democracy, whether it be on the city, county or state level,” said Griffo, R-Rome. “This is an important educational opportunity for our civic leaders of tomorrow. I’m pleased to have been a long-time guest speaker as well as an advocate for this needed funding.”

  “Boys and Girls State provide a unique opportunity for our future leaders to learn about government,” said Valesky, D-Oneida. “I’ve seen firsthand what a valuable experience it is for participants and was pleased to help secure funding to ensure it continues.”

  Dave O’Brien, Boys State program director, said: “We greatly appreciate Sen. Griffo and Sen. Valesky for their push to secure us state aid. This will help the colleges remain staffed and ready for us, as well as helping us ensure the program is available to teenagers for years to come.”

  Nationwide, the boys and girls programs have produced several famous alums, including Bill Clinton, George Pataki, Tom Brokaw, Jane Pauley and Janet Napolitano.