Today is the first day of the week-long American Legion Boys State of Missouri program on the campus of the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. Approximately 1000 boys from across Missouri will participate this week. This is the third year we’ve been able to cover the session.

Our opening day coverage from last year: Missouri Boys State 2009

Warrensburg American Legion Post 131 member Jim Whitfield, a volunteer at Missouri Boys State for over fifty years, helps direct participants at registration.

The Boys State staff is very efficient at implementing the logistics of registering close to 1000 Boys State citizens.

Warrensburg American Legion Post 131 member Gary Grigsby assists a Boys State citizen, directing him to the line for registration.

And of course, we’ll be covering the statewide office holders and others in public service who make up the session’s impressive list of keynote speakers:

[Missouri] ATTORNEY GENERAL CHRIS KOSTER

Saturday, June 12, 2010 (7:30-8:20 PM)

Following Opening Night Ceremonies of the 71st session of Missouri Boys State current Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster will deliver the keynote address at a special assembly in Hendricks Hall. Following his prepared remarks, Attorney General Koster will hold a question and answer session.

MISSOURI GOVERNOR JAY NIXON

Sunday, June 13, 2010 (7:00-9:00 PM)

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon will deliver the keynote address at a special assembly on Sunday evening in Hendricks Hall. Governor Nixon has been an outstanding supporter of the Boys State program throughout his years as Missouri’s Attorney General and Governor. We are very pleased to have him back to Boys State. The Governor will hold a question and answer session following his prepared remarks.

MISSOURI STATE TREASURER CLINT ZWEIFEL

Monday, June 14, 2010 (7:00-9:00 PM)

Missouri State Treasurer Clint Zweifel will deliver the keynote address at a special assembly on Monday evening in Hendricks Hall. We are very pleased to have Treasurer Zweifel at Boys State for the first time this year. The Treasurer will hold a question and answer session following his prepared remarks.

FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS JOHN BOLTON

Tuesday, June 15, 2010 (7:30-9:00 PM)

John Bolton will accept the 22nd Annual George W. Lehr Memorial Speakers Chair on Tuesday night at Hendricks Hall. John Bolton is one of America’s most prominent policy voices. As the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Bolton was strong in his defense of American economic and security interests, no matter whether there was popular or waning public opinion. Bolton provided a forward-thinking vision on issues vital to the U.S. and its allies including human rights and working to forge sustainable global communities and infrastructures. He will share his views on domestic policy issues, global security, diplomacy and how the interconnectedness of the global economy will affect the country in the coming years. Bolton currently serves as a foreign policy senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a contributor to FOX News Channel and his op-ed articles are regularly featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Times. Following his prepared remarks Mr. Bolton will hold a question and answer session.

MISSOURI SECRETARY OF STATE ROBIN CARNAHAN

Thursday, June 17, 2010 (7:15-9:15 PM)

Missouri Secretary of State will deliver the keynote address and swear-in the newly elected state officials at the Joint Session of the Boys State House and Senate on Thursday evening at Hendricks Hall. Following her prepared remarks, Secretary of State Carnahan will swear-in the new MBS Governor and all new MBS constitutional officers and Supreme Court justices.

FEDERAL JUDGE DUANE BENTON

Friday, June 18, 2010 (6:45-7:00 PM)

U.S. Court of Appeals (8th Circuit) Judge Duane Benton will briefly address Boys State on Friday evening at Hendricks Hall. Judge Benton, a great friend to the Boys State program and member of The American Legion, will offer his best advice to participants of Boys State drawn from his experiences as MO Director of Revenue, MO Supreme Court Justice, little league baseball coach and his years on the federal bench.

WHITE HOUSE FELLOW AND NAVY SEAL COMMANDER

ERIC GREITENS

Friday, June 18, 2010 (7:00-8:30 PM)

White House Fellow, Navy Seal Commander and Rhodes Scholar Eric Greitens will speak to MBS participants on Monday at Hendricks Hall. One of the most accomplished Boys Staters in recent memory, Greitens will share his extraordinary career with Boys Staters in a special assembly. Greitens returned from his last tour of duty in Iraq in 2007. As an award-winning humanitarian leader, Eric has traveled to many war and crisis torn countries to reveal not only the hardship of the people, but also their strength and compassion. Following his prepared remarks he will hold a question and answer session.