One of 1,000+ future leaders that assembled for the prestigious program
Spent week at University of Texas learning about government
AUSTIN, Tex. – The American Legion, Department of Texas, today announced that Robert Kollman of
Shallowater High School has graduated from the American Legion Texas Boys State.
While at Texas Boys State Robert had the opportunity to engage in debate and was able to see how
important public policy is to the State of Texas. During Boys State, Robert was able to serve as a leader
by being voted as the Attorney General runner up for the Nationalist Party.
Begun in 1935, Boys State is a unique program that educates future leaders about government, civics,
and patriotism in a “learn by doing” environment. Each delegate has just finished his junior year of high
school and was hand-picked by teachers, counselors, and local American Legion posts throughout
Texas to attend this one week seminar.
During the week, the delegates were evenly split into fictional parties of the Nationalist and Federalists.
Each party drafted party platforms, elected party officials, nominated candidates via primary elections,
and contested a general election against the rival party and its candidates. The delegates ran for many
kinds of offices including state, district, county, and city offices. Those elected to the House of
Representatives and Senate spent the week drafting, debating, and passing bills on a wide range of
social and economic issues.
This year the delegates heard from dozens of distinguished guest speakers, including U.S. Senator John
Cornyn, Texas Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick, several members of the Texas House of
Representatives and Texas Senate, and two retired generals speaking on topics of leadership and public
service.
On Wednesday, June 12, Texas Boys State enjoyed a parade from the University of Texas at Austin
campus to the Texas State Capitol, where they toured the building and dropped in on their hometown
representatives’ offices.
For more information on Boys State, visit www.TexasBoysState.com.
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