Delta State University Cleveland, Mississippi June 9-15, 2001

The 2001 Boys State Program will be held at Delta State University. Delegates will be able to hear from their state leaders. The following speakers have already accepted invitations to speak:

Governor Ronnie Musgrove.
Ronnie Musgrove was elected Mississippi's 62nd Governor on January 4, 2000. Governor Musgrove was born in Tocowa, Mississippi, in 1956 and was first elected to the Mississippi Senate in 1987. He has a history of serving the state of Mississippi diligently and honestly. Now he looks toward the future of Mississippi, toward a goal of progress and prosperity. He works for unprecedented goals and unparalleled progress.

Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck.
Since her swearing-in as Lieutenant Governor on Jan. 6, 2000, she has been recognized as the 2000 Outstanding Mississippi Woman by the President's Commission on the Status of Women and the Mississippi Woman 2000 Award winner presented by Mississippi State University. She is a native of Maben in Oktibbeha County and received her Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and her Master's Degree in Public Policy & Administration from Mississippi State University.

Secretary of State Eric Clark.
Eric Clark is now serving his second term as Mississippi's Secretary of State. He was elected to the statewide office in 1995, and re-elected in 1999. A native of Smith County born in 1951, Eric Clark has focused the Secretary of State's Office on four primary goals: protecting the integrity of the state's elections; promoting sound land management; strengthening Mississippi's business climate; and safeguarding the investments and charitable donations of Mississippians.

Attorney General Mike Moore.
First elected to Attorney General in 1989, Attorney General Mike Moore is now in his fourth term as attorney general. In 1994 he received national attention when he filed the first suit against thirteen tobacco companies. The suit resulted in a $4.1 billion settlement for the state of Mississippi. Following Mississippi's lead, a $240 billion settlement was reached that covered all of the states. In 1992, Mike Moore became the first resident Mississippian to be selected as one of the Ten Most Outstanding Young Americans by the National Jaycees. In 1994 his fellow Attorneys General bestowed upon him the prestigious Wyman Award, naming him the most outstanding attorney general in the Nation. Mike Moore also served as president of the National Association of Attorneys General. For his work and leadership in pursuing the unprecedented lawsuit against the tobacco industry, the National Law Journal named him "Lawyer of the Year" followed by Governing Magazine naming him "Public Official of the Year" in 1998.

State Treasurer Marshall Bennett.
First elected to the office of State Treasurer in 1987, Bennett is now serving his fourth term in the office. He is past president of both the National Association of State Treasurers (1993 to 1994) and the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers (1995 to 1996). He is currently Chairman of the National College Savings Plan Network. Bennett recently received the Most Outstanding State Treasurer in the Nation Award for 1998. As Mississippi's Treasurer he has earned the largest amount of interest income in the state's history, obtained an upgrade of Mississippi bonds to AA rating, established the state college tuition prepayment plan, saved the state over $12 million in advanced refunding of state bonds, and assisted counties, cities and towns in obtaining low interest loans for construction savings to taxpayers. He is a native of Tchula, Mississipi.

State Auditor Phil Bryant.
Phil Bryant has the distinct honor of serving as Mississippi's State Auditor. He was first appointed to this position in November of 1996, to serve the unexpired term of his predecessor. Phil was elected to a full term as State Auditor in November 1999. Auditor Bryant has taken a tough stand on public corruption, one that is not swayed by personal political agendas. Since taking office in 1996, Phil and his staff have recovered and returned over 2.7 million in taxpayers dollars that have been embezzled or improperly spent. An unprecedented number of corrupt public officials and government employees have either been incarcerated or pled guilty to crimes they committed. The agency audits annually approximately $11 billion of taxpayers dollars for legal compliance and efficiency.