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LAWRENCE -- Sunflower Girls State will mark its 60th year Sunday when more than 500 young women from throughout Kansas attend the American Legion Auxiliary's program, June 2 to 7 at the University of Kansas.
Sunflower Girls State, a program designed to foster a sense of responsibility to community, state and nation among young women who are entering their senior year in high school, has been offered through the American Legion Auxiliary since its inception in 1939. No sessions took place from 1943 to 1946 because of World War II.
To commemorate the 60th year, American Legion Auxiliary national president Sherry McLaughlin of Vinton, Iowa, will speak to delegates on Wednesday, June 5. Other speakers will include Janet Murguia, KU executive vice chancellor for university relations and a former senior White House liaison to Congress for President Bill Clinton; state Treasurer Tim Shallenburger; Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh; Attorney General Carla Stovall; First Lady Linda Graves; State Court of Appeals Judge Joseph Pierron; Frankfort Mayor Sharon Owen; state Sen. Sandy Praeger, R-Lawrence; and state Rep. Barbara W. Ballard, D-Lawrence.
"The University of Kansas is privileged and proud to host Girls State each year, and we congratulate Girls State on 60 years of encouraging young women to learn about and enter public service," said Murguia, who was a Girls State delegate in 1977.
"When I was at Girls State, not only did we learn about government, but we learned about the state of Kansas," she said. "Getting to know girls from across Kansas was really special. That is what makes Girls State such a valuable experience."
Girls State delegates are selected from high schools throughout Kansas to participate in a week's study of government at all levels. The delegates will elect their own city, county and state officials.ęThey then will present and debate their own bills, resolutions and ordinances. The week culminates with a visit to the offices of state government in Topeka.
During the week, delegates can earn an hour of college credit through KU. Diana Carlin, KU dean of the Graduate School and International Programs, will teach a short course called "Women in Politics and Government." Carlin, a professor of communications studies and director of DebateWatch, is known nationally for her research of political rhetoric and presidential-candidate debates.
For more information, visit www.ksgirlsstate.org.
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