D.C. Boys State program storms the nation’s capital

For the first time in nearly 50 years, The American Legion Department of Washington, D.C., hosted its Boys State program, July 5-8. Held in every American Legion department in the United States, except Hawaii, the program affords young men – who are juniors in high school – an opportunity to learn about the operation of local, county and state government while gaining a stronger understanding of the rights, privileges, duties and responsibilities of a franchised citizen.

A small collection of boys from the local area assembled at the International Brotherhood of Teamsters building each day to participate in a series of informative discussions and question-and-answer sessions with local influencers from the U.S. Department of Labor, Lockheed Martin, the United States Veterans Initiative, Soldier for Life, and the D.C. Public School System. Other local elected officials and lawmakers visited with the boys, sharing words of wisdom and encouragement, including D.C. City Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, Sen. Michael D. Brown, D-D.C., and Ward 5 School Board Representative Mark Jones. Following the guest speakers, the boys had a chance to visit Capitol Hill to sit in on a session of Congress and see their lawmakers in action.

One guest in particular said he was filled with nostalgia when he met the group of young men. Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Department of Labor, Samuel Shellenberger, shared his experiences from his participation at the Colorado Boys State program in 1976. Shellenberger stressed how important the program is in the cultivation of young men to help them become better, more productive, citizens. "It doesn’t matter who you are, because everyone can play a role," he said.

Fargo Wells, a program instructor with the Department of Virginia, shared his time and knowledge with the D.C. program in an effort to garner support for the reinvigorated program and to help ensure current and future success. “The boys were so enthusiastic about participating,” Wells said. “They said they learned more at this Boys State than any of the other (youth) programs they have participated in.”

Organizers said they hope the program will continue to progress over the years.