BoysState
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Hi, I’m Darin LaHood, your US Congressman for Illinois' 18th Congressional District
I regret that I am unable to join you today in Springfield
but I wanted to send you this greeting to commend you
for your leadership and dedication to our great state of Illinois.
Leadership is a crucial characteristic
to possess as you complete high school
and begin the next chapter in your life
most likely higher education.
Our state and country will always be in need of
strong leadership
some argue we need it now more than ever.
You are in this program because you have been identified as a leader.
We hope that you will carry the torch and
stay true to helping the communities around you.
Central Illinois is home
to some of our country’s finest leaders in public service.
I represent the same Congressional District
that Abraham Lincoln did
during his one term in Congress.
Everett Dirksen, was a Senate Minority Leader
and a pioneer in passing the
Civil Rights Act of 1964.
His home town is Pekin, Illinois.
Bob Michel served as House Minority Leader
in the House of Representatives
and served for 38 years
and is from Peoria, Illinois.
And President Ronald Reagan was educated
in my district
at Eureka College.
Since Boys State was founded in 1935,
the mission has remained the same:
To educate Illinois’ finest young men
about their government and political system
because, one day,
they will be responsible for leading their generation
into the future.
Its founders,
a lawyer, a policeman, and a teacher,
sought to counter this development
by instilling in Illinois’ young men
the values and virtues of
citizenship, leadership, and patriotism.
In other words,
Boys State was founded to find
the next generation of leaders in Illinois
and train them in the American way of government.
I wish you all the best of luck
and I look forward to seeing you continue
your hard work to better the communities around you.
Thank you and God Bless.