FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 1999

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COLUMBIA (MO) STUDENT ELECTED PRESIDENT OF BOYS NATION

President Ryan Rippel addressing Boys Nation

(ARLINGTON, VA) -- Ryan Rippel, a student at Hickman High School (Columbia) earned a new title during his summer vacation - President of Boys Nation. Rippel was elected by the 96 participants of the Boys Nation program held at Marymount University in Arlington, VA earlier this week. Rippel gained the nomination of the Nationalist Party and went on to defeat the Federalist Party nominee H. Pettus Randall of Tuscaloosa, AL in the general election. The Boys Nation Program is a practical laboratory developed to give select students from across the nation hands-on experience in how our federal government works through mock senate activities. Boys Nation is sponsored annually by The American Legion.Rippel was sworn in by Associate Judge for the Military Court of Appeals and Past Commander of the American Legion, H.F. "Sparky" Gierke at the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces on Wednesday. Rippel represented the Boys Nation program in a visit to The White House on Wednesday where he introduced President Clinton prior to the President's address to the Boys Nation and Girls Nation participants. In his inaugural address, Rippel told the Boys Nation Senators that he hopes they take the spirit of Boys Nation and apply it in their communities. "I hope when you leave here that instead of ignoring them, you will talk to those who need our help," said Rippel.Rippel spent Thursday on Capitol Hill meeting with Senators and Representatives including members of Missouri's congressional delegation. Rippel earned the right to attend Boys Nation through his accomplishments at The American Legion Boys State of Missouri held at Central Missouri State University in June. Rippel and Conn Davis of East Prairie, MO were selected to represent Missouri at Boys Nation following a lengthy interview process by a committee of Boys State staff members. Rippel is only the third Missourian to be elected President at Boys Nation in the 53 year history of the Boys Nation program. A St. Louisan, John C. Glunt was elected President of Boys Nation in 1971. William Quigg of Jefferson City was President in 1949.The Boys Nation program runs from July 23 through July 31, 1999."