March 20, 2006

Comments from Rebecca Liu and Rep. Tom Petri:

Liu: "Girls Nation is a program sponsored by the American Legion. And it is pretty much where we go around Washington, DC and we look at various monuments and memorials, and we learn about Senate sessions and how government works through simulations. And we get to meet our congressmen, and sometimes the President - not this year.

"We have mock Senate sessions where we all actually, each state brought their own bills, and we present them on the floor.

"And we elect our own leaders. We have two parties. We have party rallies and conventions. And it's just pretty much a huge simulation of government, where everyone is really interested in government. And we learn how to be future leaders through that."

Petri: "It's a great opportunity that the American Legion has provided to young people, both to attend Badger Boys State and Girls State and, as these young people have had, the opportunity to attend Girls Nation and Boys Nation.

"And I had that experience myself many years ago, and I found it very valuable. And I'm sure that's still the case."