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BRI’s David Bobb Discusses Civic Virtues At Michigan Event

by Bill of Rights Institute on

As part of its leadership forum late last month, the American Legion of Michigan Boys State organization hosted David Bobb, president of the Bill of Rights Institute. Bobb spoke about BRI’s civic virtues and essential figures in American history, such as former presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln and Founders like Benjamin Franklin and James Madison.

BRI and civic virtues were the theme of the event, as posterboards with virtues and vices were posted throughout and members of Michigan Boys State carried BRI’s civic virtues with them in lanyards. The event was organized by Mark Brejcha, director of the American Legion of Michigan Boys State and a retired social studies teacher.

“The boys were very receptive of the civic virtues we displayed,” he said. “Upon day one registration where parents dropped their boys off, storyboards of the nine civic virtues and their vices were present.  This created an image of civility in civics, which the parents just loved.”

Members of Brejcha’s organization participate in mock local, county, and state government exercises. He joined the teaching profession after serving 30 years in the United States Air Force.

Brejcha previously met Bobb and learned about BRI after reading his book “Humility.”

“What I like about BRI is their model of civility, ethics, and morality in governance,” Brejcha said. “BRI focuses on time-honored and time-tested virtues that are needed today and frankly, we see very little of it in the halls of many governmental institutions; local, state, and nation.”

Brejcha added he feels drawn to BRI’s “Virtues and Vices” chart and the videos from our Heroes and Villains curriculum, describing them as “quick-hitting and well-made.”

“I believe that civic education, steered properly by the combination of the US Constitution and the conscience of a moral people, will help to ensure that our republic survives another 250 years,” Brejcha said. “That's what the American Legion Boys State program is all about.”