We are thrilled to that Senator Joe Manchin will be the keynote speaker at the American Legion Mountaineer Boys State (ALMBS) graduation ceremony! As a dedicated public servant and a proud West Virginian, Senator Manchin’s inspiring journey from businessman to governor to U.S. senator embodies the spirit of leadership and civic responsibility we strive to instill in our Boys State citizens. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of our state’s most influential leaders. Join us for an unforgettable morning of celebration and inspiration!

Shelley Moore Capito, a Republican, was elected by the people of West Virginia to serve as a U.S. Senator in 2014, and she was re-elected in 2020. Making history as the first female Senator from West Virginia, Capito secured an impressive victory in 2020, winning over 70 percent of the vote and carrying all 55 counties. This surpassed her previous record set in 2014 when she won over 62 percent of the vote and carried all counties.

With a strong background in public service, Capito represented West Virginia’s Second Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives for 14 years. Prior to that, she served in the West Virginia House of Delegates for four years. Determined to be an even stronger advocate for her state, Capito ran for Senate, aiming to restore order to a Senate hindered by gridlock. She firmly believes that bipartisan solutions and cooperation across party lines are

Joe Manchin, a U.S. Senator representing West Virginia, has been serving the state since November 15, 2010. Born and raised in the coal mining town of Farmington, Senator Manchin deeply understands the values cherished by all West Virginians—family, common sense, fairness, and hard work. His grandfather, an Italian immigrant and town grocer known as Papa Joe, instilled in him the importance of serving the public, while his grandmother, Mama Kay, inspired his commitment to public service through her unwavering compassion for the less fortunate.

Throughout his political career, spanning from his days as a state legislator to his six-year tenure as Governor and now as a Senator, Joe Manchin has remained dedicated to his philosophy of “retail government.” This approach centers on connecting with constituents and prioritizing their needs and concerns. In Washington, he strives to bring the same spirit of bipartisanship that has guided him throughout his life, working across

Senator Shelley Moore Capito – Shelley Moore Capito was elected by the people of West Virginia to the United States Senate in 2014, and re-elected in 2020. She is the first female U.S. senator in West Virginia’s history and was elected with the largest margin of victory for a Republican in state history—winning more than 70 percent of the vote and all 55 counties, surpassing the previous mark she set in 2014 when she won more than 62 percent of the vote and all 55 counties. After serving West Virginia’s Second Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives for 14 years, and as a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates for four years prior, Senator Capito decided to run for Senate to be an even stronger voice for the Mountain State. She also saw an opportunity to restore order to a Senate stuck in gridlock for far

Senator Manchin has served in several leadership capacities on various associations, including: Chairman of the National Governors Association, Chairman of the Southern States Energy Board, President of the Council of State Governments, Chairman of the Democratic Governors Association and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Association.

Senator Manchin served as Secretary of State from 2000 to 2004, and his office was known for excellent customer service. He was a state legislator from 1982 to 1996, where he earned a reputation for standing up for West Virginians.

Senator Manchin became a successful businessman after attending West Virginia University on a football scholarship.

Senator Manchin is an avid pilot, outdoorsman, hunter, angler and motorcyclist. He has been married for more than four decades to the former Gayle Conelly of Beckley. They have three children: Heather, Joseph IV and Brooke, and are the proud grandparents of Joseph V, Sophie, Kelsey, Madeline, Chloe, Jack, Carly, Vivian, Beaux and

Shelley Moore Capito was elected by the people of West Virginia to the United States Senate in 2014. She is the first female U.S. Senator in West Virginia’s history and was elected with the largest margin of victory for a Republican in state history – winning more than 62 percent of the vote and all 55 counties.

After serving West Virginia’s Second Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives for 14 years, and as a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates for four years prior, Shelley decided to run for Senate to be an even stronger voice for the Mountain State. She also saw an opportunity to restore order to a Senate stuck in gridlock for far too long.

Shelley believes that today’s challenges demand bipartisan solutions and cooperation across the aisle to advance legislation that benefits West Virginia and the country as a whole.

Shelley serves on the Senate