June 10: At 5:30 p.m. on Thursday at Lawson Hall (Eastern Illinois University campus), noted elected officials to be present at final band performance; newly elected student state officers will be sworn into office.

Media Advisory

BLOOMINGTON, Ill./EWORLDWIRE/June 8, 2010 --- On a typical day, residents of Chicago and Peoria might overlook Charleston and its suburban feel, but for 605 boys who've qualified and landed in Charleston for a week-long Boys State event, it's not the size of the city that matters but the passion for knowledge of and interest in government and how it operates that secured their sponsorship from American Legion Posts around the state.

Illinois' Governor Pat Quinn said, "Today is a very important occasion. I know this is the 75th anniversary of Boys State. We are very, very grateful to the American Legion for organizing Boys State. The first one was in the state of Illinois 75 years ago; it spread all across the country. It is a very very special opportunity. As is said by many, 'it's a week that lasts a lifetime.' All of those that are gathered here, I think all of you will remember this week for the rest of your lives, and I want to thank the American Legion for their commitment."

Boys State offers a range of interactive sessions – legislative, court, law enforcement and assemblies, during a live-event learning experience. Young adults come together to gain a deeper understanding of the rights, privileges and responsibilities U.S. citizens enjoy. Sessions are complemented by a series of presentations, assemblies, band, chorus performances, and recreational activities.

Scholarships are awarded each year to participants.

The Boys State event hails alumna including notables such as former President Bill Clinton and television journalist Tom Brokaw.

"For the young men who've made it to Boys State, it's a public testimony of their commitment to community leadership," stated Illinois State Commander, William Flanagan. "Participation is elective - to take on a position on the Boys State team demonstrates the depth of one's character at a young age. We congratulate all the students who've chosen this road and will be watching for them as they make their mark on the future."

For more information on the American Legion Premier Boys State, visit Legion.org
(http://www.legion.org/boysnation/websites). The American Legion Department of Illinois is available at ILLegion.org (http://www.illlegion.org).

MEDIA: For pre and post-event interviews and photo appointments, contact Mark Sides at 309-721-3886.

HTML:   http://www.eworldwire.com/pressreleases/211675
PDF:   http://www.eworldwire.com/pdf/211675.pdf
MOBILE:    http://e4mobile.com/view_release.php?id=211675
ONLINE NEWSROOM:   http://www.eworldwire.com/newsroom/313007.htm
NEWSROOM RSS FEED:   http://newsroom.eworldwire.com/xml/newsrooms/313007.xml
LOGO:   http://www.eworldwire.com/newsroom/313007.htm

CONTACT:
Mark Sides
American Legion
Department of Illinois
Headquarters PO Box 2910
Bloomington, IL 61701
PHONE. 309-721-3886
FAX. 309-796-2518
EMAIL: Mark@MarkSides.com
http://JointheLegion.org

SOURCE: American Legion Department of Illinois

AVAILABLE MEDIA:

: 75 Years of Boys State (size: 0.1 kb)
Over 600 Attendees
http://www.eworldwire.com/mediauploads/DSCN0261-L.jpg

: Over 600 Gather at Boys State (size: 0.1 kb)
American Legion 75th Anniversary
http://www.eworldwire.com/mediauploads/DSCN0408-L.jpg

: Governor Pat Quinn (size: 0.0 kb)
Boys State 2010
http://www.eworldwire.com/mediauploads/DSCN0421-L.jpg