MADISON – Mason Laney, a senior at James Clemens High School, was selected as a senator for Boys Nation.

Boys Nation sessions met in the Washington D.C. area. American Legion sponsors the conference.

Delegates to Boys Nation pursue this annual American Legion program for civic training, leadership development and a focus on Americanism. In his assignments at the conference, Laney held the positions of Governor, Chairman of the Nationalist Party Platform Committee and State Senator.

During their eight days at Boys Nation, 98 senators (two boys from each state, excluding Hawaii) learned from a hands-on approach about agenda procedures for the U.S. Senate and functions of the federal government.

The boys were divided into two political parties, the Federalists and Nationalists. Each party conducted a party convention, set a platform and nominated members for elected offices, including Boys Nation President, vice president and party leaders.

Each senator wrote, introduced and debated a bill of his choosing before an appropriate Senate committee. If the bill was successful at that level, members of the entire Senate voted for approval. For bills that the Senate passed, the Boys Nation President signed or vetoed the legislation.

For his legislation, Sen. Laney introduced Resolution SR-6 to the Senate floor to recommend the passing of a balanced budget amendment. “This resolution encourages the individual states and the national legislature to back an amendment to the Constitution of the United States that would require federal spending to equal projected federal receipts in each national budget,” Laney wrote.

Laney and his fellow delegates toured the Lincoln, Korean War and Iwo Jima memorials; Vietnam Wall; presented a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery; and visited national landmarks. At Capitol Hill, they met with their state’s senators.

At James Clemens, Laney has been actively involved in soccer and cross-country teams. Currently, he is President of the Class of 2019 and captain of the Jets Scholars Bowl Team.

A resident of Madison, Laney wants to enroll at the College of William and Mary. His goal is to study law to become an attorney.