Published: 06-24-08
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today challenged young Texans to make a lasting contribution to the future well-being of Texas through public service.
“Public service is an honorable calling that must be answered by honorable men and women” Gov. Perry said. “Your presence at Girls State signifies you’ve already learned that what matters most is not what you get for yourself but what you give back to your country and your fellow Americans.”
The governor spoke to an audience of young girls participating in the 2008 Texas Bluebonnet Girls State. Kelley Norton a graduate of the Texas A&M University George Bush School of Government and Public Policy and analyst at the U.S. Department of Justice served as this year’s speaker of the Girls State House of Representatives.
Sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Texas the Girls State program educates young women on the duties privileges rights and responsibilities of American citizenship by giving participants the opportunity to organize their own city county and state governments for one week each year. The program concludes with a visit to the Texas State Capitol where the girls are given the opportunity to meet state officials.
Gov. Perry encouraged the girls to look past criticism of their youth and actively pursue goals and innovative ideas. He also reminded them that the right to participate should not be taken for granted and that they were responsible for creating opportunities for the next generations.
“All each of us can do is use the one life we have the one opportunity we are given to leave a lasting imprint on the world around us” Gov. Perry said. “Texas needs your leadership and idealism so whatever your dream pursue it with vigor and intensity and use it to improve our nation and our state.”
