Happy Independence Day! Citizens traded their usual uniforms for red, white, and blue today, and spent it in the Legislative Session, taking on the role of elected officials.

Picotte County led this morning’s Flag Raising Ceremony.

Pocket Flags

Ahead of the Legislative Session, citizens took part in the Americanism Pocket Flag activity, learning to fold miniature American flags — the same kind often sent to deployed service members as a reminder that they’re remembered and appreciated.

Legislative Session

Political Instructors gave citizens an overview before the Legislative Session convened, and from there, senators and assembly members spent the day putting a full week of work to the test — presenting the bills they wrote in committee, asking questions, debating, and voting, all according to the parliamentary procedure they learned back on Day 1. It’s the moment everything since Tuesday has been building toward.

For the first time in the 2000s, every single bill drafted by our committees was heard on the floor. Of the 23 bills brought forward, 15 passed in both the Senate and the Assembly. Tonight, the Governor will have the chance to sign them into law or veto them.

Flag Lowering Ceremony

This evening, Anthony County led the Flag Lowering Ceremony — the first one this week we were able to hold outside, which was a great change of pace after a week of heat and indoor ceremonies.

Service, Sweets, & Social Networking

Tonight’s Service, Sweets, & Social Networking Event brought citizens together across counties and parties to support this year’s Department President’s projects: the Military Women’s Memorial in Washington, D.C., and ALA Empire Girls State itself.

Citizens wrote cards to women veterans, which will be delivered to the Memorial and to women veterans visiting. They also wrote cards to future EGS citizens, to be sealed in a time capsule and opened for the 100th session in 2041 — a nice reminder that this session is part of something much larger than itself.

One Night Only: Please Clap!

The evening also featured a special performance by Please Clap!, the ALA EGS Band — a one-night-only show for a crowd that had spent all day debating and was more than ready to cut loose. This year’s band was directed by Chairman Steph, with Counselor Gina serving as staff assistant and miniature guitarist, backed by a surprisingly large kazoo section, flutes, saxophones, trash can drums, maracas, and more. They closed out the night with a spirited rendition of “What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction.

Also tonight: ALA Girls Nation finalist candidates submitted their videos for staff review, one of the last steps before two citizens are chosen to represent New York at ALA Girls Nation. Results are announced at Sunday’s State of the State Ceremony!

---

📰 Girls State Gazette — Issue 5: Becoming a Citizen Our official daily newsletter covers everything happening inside ALA EGS — election results, legislative action, wellness tips, county news, and more.
👉 Check out the Gazette