Governor Asa Hutchinson's Weekly Address

Hundreds of high school students explored the halls of the Arkansas Capitol last week during the annual exercise in government known as Girls State and Boys State. The week-long programs, which are sponsored by the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary, offer rising seniors the chance to form a government, run for office, and write and vote on legislation. At the end of the week, the students visit the Arkansas Capitol, where they conduct the business of state government in the place where it really happens. During Boys State and Girls State, the students ran intense campaigns for office, negotiated and passed laws, and held a press conference to announce an economic development project. On Thursday and Friday, in keeping with tradition, I vacated my office for the newly elected governors. This year, I lent my chair to Trinity Foster from Crossett as Girls State Governor and Pablo Velasco-Moya from Brinkley as Boys State Governor. Let me assure you, they represent their community and state very