Luverne’s Gunnar Oldre represented the Hardwick American Legion July 19-27 at Boys Nation in Washington, D.C.
“It was just an amazing experience,” Oldre said. “To meet people from all over the country and learn so much about our government and our country was great.”
Oldre was one of two boys from Minnesota elected to Boys Nation during Boys State in June. Griffen Olson from Farmington also represented Minnesota.
American Legion Boys Nation includes 100 senators, two delegates from each of the Boys State programs. The boys are incoming seniors in high school.
“I met people from all the different states with so many different viewpoints,” Oldre said.
The young senators learn about the political process throughout the week, including the proper process of introducing and passing bills in the real U.S. Senate.
The participants also organize party conventions (Nationalists and Federalists) and elect a president and vice president.
Oldre ran for vice president of Boys Nation and lost 26-24 in the primary. The candidate he lost to, from Montana, went on to be elected vice president.
Boys Nation also included lectures and forums on government training and visits to many government buildings and national monuments and memorials.
“One of the best parts was touring the war memorials with actual veterans there from the American Legion,” Oldre said. “That was really powerful.”
Oldre said U.S. Vice President Mike Pence spoke to the participants on the steps of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building next to the White House.
Oldre and Olson also met with Senator Tina Smith and had a personal tour of the U.S. Capitol by one of Senator Amy Klobuchar’s staffers.
As part of the legislative process, Oldre introduced a bill to renew the Environmental Protection Act of 2005. His bill didn’t reach a committee, however.
“Very few bills were actually passed,” Oldre said.
Oldre did have success with a simple resolution he introduced.
Boys Nation Senate Simple Resolution 58 was titled “Birthday Wishes.”
It states, “Whereas Boys Nation 2019 took place from July 19 to July 27; and Whereas my Grandma Joyce Oldre had her 80th birthday on July 23, 2019; Now be it resolved the 2019 Boys Nation Senate wishes a late, but very Happy Birthday to Grandma Oldre.”
The simple resolution passed unanimously.
Oldre said the opportunity to make connections with people from all across America is what he valued most about the Boys Nation experience.
He said he plans to speak to the Hardwick American Legion and the Adrian Sons of the Legion, of which he is a member, about his experiences in Washington.
Wes Pierson, the Boys State representative for Hardwick Post 478, said the local group is proud of Oldre.
“Gunnar has been an outstanding representative for our post,” he said. “We were not surprised at all he has done so well.”