California Boys State - Yearbook (Sacramento, CA)

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THE BOYS STATE STORY Boys State was first organized and developed by the Ameri- canism Committee. of the American Legion of the State of Il- linois in 1934. The first year of the activity in Illinois proved beyond doubt the possibilities of the movement, and the 17th annual national convention of the American Legion, held in Septem- ber 1935, adopted the following resolution: Resolved, by the American Legion that we highly endorse the Boys State movement, and recommend that it be made an essential part of the Americanism program. The California program was started soon after Resolution No. 3 was passed at the Fifth Area Meeting at Brawley, Nov- ember 29, 1936. This resolution requested that the Ameri- can Legion Department Executive Committee set up a Boys State the following summer 09373, and that the plan be pat- terned after and carried on in a manner similar to that al- ready in operation in the Departments of Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The Fair-Grounds at Sacramento were chosen for the site. The State of California loaned the use of the buildings. Steel cots and straw tick-covers were borrowed from the Califor- nia National Guard. The same site has been used each year except 1942, 1943, 1944 and 1946. During the above war years the Fair-Grounds were not available because of their use by the military. ln 1942 Boys State was held on the campus of the College of Agriculture at Davis. In 1943, 1944 and 1946 we were invited to use Grant Union High School at North Sacramento. The managements of both the Agricultural College and Grant Union High School were enthusiastic about our youth program and donated the facilities of their buildings and grounds without cost to the American Legion. No session of Boys state was held in 1945 because of war restrictions on travel. THE BOYS STATE CREED AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP IS MY MOST PRICELESS POSSESSION. I BE- LIEVE IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL FORM OF GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA',v- WHICH GUARANTEES ME THE RIGHT TO WORSHIP GOD AS I CHOOSE AND AS A CITIZEN, EQUAL OPPORTUN- ITY, AND EQUAL EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS. IT IS MY OBLIGATION TO PARTICI- PATE IN AND CONTRIBUTE MY EFFORT TO THE CIVIC AND POLITI- CAL WELFARE OF MY COMMUNITY, STATE AND NATION. I RESOLVE TO LEARN AND UNDER- STAND GOVERNMENT AND THE CIVIC NEEDS OF MY COMMUNITY AND I HEREBY DEDICATE MYSELF TO THE TASK OR AROUSING AND MAINTAINING A LIKE INTEREST IN MY FELLOW CITIZENS. THEREFORE MAY THE EXPERIENCE OF BOYS' STATE BE EVER WITH ME AS A REMINDER OF MY OBLIGATION TO MY COUNTRY. GOVERNOR TOM HOWARD First governor of California Boys' State Qthird from rightj and other constitutional officers. Tom won his election by five votes over joe Pierano. Bert Mann, chairman of Americanism Commission and Judge Pullen are located in center of back row.

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URISE AND SHINE TODAY IS MONDAY ALL DAY These familar words come from the office of Chief Counselor, where Philo Chambers plans and directs the program of the week. The 1967 Staff of Counselors Enthusiastic-Efficient-Dedicated Business Manager Marion Benedetti provides for the physi cal operation of Boys State, such as, buildings, meals, supplies, busses, use of grounds, set-up and clean-up. Left-Frank Remsnyder, Treasurer of Boys State. Located in Legion Department Headquarters, San Francisco. Looks after registration and financial records. Secretary Frank Baker Office Manager

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GOVERNOR ' S COUNCIL Gov. Ralph Miller and other state officers with 23 appointees to the Governor's Council. This 1938 session brought 389 boys, an increase from 254 in 1937. RALPH MILLER TAKES OATH as 2nd governor of Boys' State. justice john Pullen is administering oath as Governor Frank E. Merriam looks on. LEGION LEADERS RECOMMEND BOYS' STATE AS A LEGION ACTIVITY In his report to the 1937 Convention DEPARTMENT COMMANDER THOMAS 1. RIORDAN stated: The California Boys' State program enlarged and improved will be the most practical program that the American Legion can sponsor as a subsequent year activity. CHAIRMAN BERT MANN OF THE AMERICANISM COMMISSION: --- it is the most un- selfish program in which the Americanism Commission ever engaged. He urged that it be continued. THE FIRST BOYS STATE GOVERNOR, TOM HOWARD, addressed the Convention: I am proud to be the first governor of California Boys' State and as such I earnestly ask you to give California youth a lift and to continue this program. The Third Inaugural. C. A. Yank Harelson, Chairman, at the Jack Maiben Takes Oath mike. Seated behind table are Gov. jack Maiben, Department Commander Doc Watters and judge Pullen. State, county and With Jim Howie looking on justice john Pullen ad- city officials in background with local Legionnaires. ministers oath of office to jack Maiben. iglsuuulu 1 mam ma-l m nil- I 1 l -azwnnamnn