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Date 6-6-06
Contact David Tisdale 601.266.4499
WITH PHOTOS
HATTIESBURG—Mississippi
Gov. Haley Barbour urged participants in the 59th Annual American
Legion Girls State, held on the University of Southern Mississippi
campus this week, to use their leadership abilities to help lead
the state’s recovery from Hurricane Katrina.
Barbour described
the economic opportunities in Mississippi as “unprecedented” because
of the federal assistance and private investment designated for
recovery. He called on approximately 350 rising high school senior
women in attendance to consider returning after finishing college
to help their home state not only rebound from the disaster but
to take advantage of the career opportunities borne from the disaster.
“Wherever you
go to college, whether it’s in Mississippi or out of state, remember
this: Come home, because there’s no place that will have the opportunities
we have because of Katrina, perverse as that may sound.”
Barbour also
gave advice about the key traits of good leaders, traits he said
were critical for success, including sharing the credit with your
team; taking the blame when things go wrong; knowing your subject
matter when tackling a problem; telling the truth; and working hard.
“You can’t get
people (on your team) to work hard if you don’t,” he said. “You
have to set an example.”
American Legion
Girls State participants learn about the workings of government
and politics at all levels, as they are immersed in a week full
of mock political campaigns, elections, party caucuses and rallies.
Anna Claire
Anderson of Decatur, a student at Newton County High School participating
in Girls State, took Barbour’s advice to heart, writing down the
various traits he cited for future reference. “If all of the girls
here take what he said about leadership and apply those rules, we
can help the coast recover and bring about positive change for Mississippi,”
she said.
Click to enlarge
Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour talks with his wife Marsha, moments before being introduced to more than 300 high school girls attending the annual Girls State convention Monday on the University of Southern Mississippi campus in Hattiesburg, Miss. Nominated by American Legion auxiliaries around the state, the rising high school seniors will spend this week at Southern Miss learning about the political process and form their own fictitious government. (Southern Miss Public Relations photo by Steve Rouse)
Click to enlarge
Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour gives a speech about leadership to more than 300 high school girls attending the annual Girls State convention Monday on the University of Southern Mississippi campus in Hattiesburg, Miss. Nominated by American Legion auxiliaries around the state, the rising high school seniors will spend this week at Southern Miss learning about the political process and form their own fictitious government. (Southern Miss Public Relations photo by Steve Rouse)
Click to enlarge
University of Southern Mississippi president Shelby Thames listens to Mississippi governor Haley Barbour speak to more than 300 high school girls attending the annual Girls State convention Monday on the Southern Miss campus in Hattiesburg, Miss. Nominated by American Legion auxiliaries around the state, the rising high school seniors will spend this week at the university learning about the political process and form their own fictitious government. (Southern Miss Public Relations photo by Steve Rouse)
Click to enlarge
Mississippi Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck is greeted by Girls State convention representatives Wednesday on the University of Southern Mississippi campus in Hattiesburg, Miss., moments before Tuck addressed the delegation. More than 300 high school girls from across the state are attending the annual Girls State convention on the Southern Miss campus. Nominated by American Legion auxiliaries around the state, the rising high school seniors are spending this week at the university learning about the political process, as well as forming their own fictitious government. (Southern Miss Public Relations photo by Steve Rouse)
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