WHEREAS,  the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary dedicate much time and effort to the successful planning and execution of Dirigo Boys State and Dirigo Girls State each year; and

WHEREAS,  Dirigo Boys State and Dirigo Girls State are designed to instruct students who have completed their junior year in high school in the process of local, county and state government; and

WHEREAS,  hundreds of students are nominated each year by their high school teachers and counselors to be delegates, or "citizens," at Dirigo Boys State and Dirigo Girls State; and

WHEREAS,  the students who attend Dirigo Boys State and Dirigo Girls State emerge from the programs with a deeper appreciation of American citizenship and better leadership skills; and

WHEREAS,  Dirigo Boys State and Dirigo Girls State have been successfully educating civic-minded Maine students since the 1940s; and

WHEREAS,  community leaders from across Maine donate their time and energy to assist in the Dirigo Boys State and Dirigo Girls State programs; and

WHEREAS,  Dirigo Boys State and Dirigo Girls State alumni include such prominent Maine leaders as the Honorable John Baldacci, United States Representative Mike Michaud and United States Senator Susan Collins; now, therefore, be it