Media Advisory
June 7, 2001

CHARLESTON, SC -- The Citadel will host the 2001 edition of Palmetto Boys' State, which runs Sunday, June 10 through Saturday, June 16. Among this year's scheduled speakers is U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond.

Boys' State was developed by the American Legion in 1935 to inspire young men to become active in government and politics. Today, every state except Hawaii conducts Boys' State. South Carolina began to host the program in 1940. South Carolina also boasts a comparable program for high school girls.

The Citadel first hosted Palmetto Boys' State from the 1960s until 1990. Following a nearly 10-year break, The Military College of South Carolina again became home to Palmetto Boys' State in 1999.

Media are invited to cover Boys' State activities. Among the events scheduled are:

• Keynote address by U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond, 7 p.m. Sunday, June 10 in McAlister Field House. Health trouble kept Thurmond from attending Palmetto Boys' State last year, but as of Thursday his Washington office said Thurmond is schedule to be here.

• Debate between Dick Harpootlian, chairman of state Democratic Party, and Henry McMaster, chairman of state Republican Party, 7:15 p.m. Monday, June 11 in McAlister Field House.

• "County Government" Day keynote address by Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, president pro tem of South Carolina Senate, 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, June 12 in McAlister Field House.

• "State Government" Day address entitled "The Judicial System in South Carolina," by A.E. Morehead, III, Family Court judge for the 12^th Judicial Circuit of South Carolina, 8:30 a.m. Thursday, June 14 in McAlister Field House.

Additional information about Palmetto Boys' State is available online at www.scpbs.com.

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