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10/5/2006   For Immediate Release Print this page

Rep. Capito Proposes Platform to Begin Page Board Reform

WASHINGTON - Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), member of the House Page Board, today sent the following letter to her colleagues on the Page Board regarding potential reforms to the Page Program.
 

October 5, 2006

TO:    Hon. John Shimkus 
           Hon. Dale Kildee
           Ms. Karen Haas, Clerk of the House
           Mr. Bill Livingood, Sergeant-at-Arms

 Dear Page Board Member,

             This week has been difficult for all Members of Congress, as well as for the institution in which we serve.  Make no mistake, the revelation of Mark Foley's despicable actions have been difficult on the young people in our Page Program as well.  I am confident that I speak for the entire Page Board in expressing outrage and hoping that anyone involved in this tragic sequence of events be severely punished.

             Today, Speaker Hastert called for the Page Program to be reviewed and strengthened.  As the Speaker correctly stated, times have changed since this great program was created, and I believe it is incumbent upon us to ensure we address these changes as they pertain to the Page Program. 

             As a fellow member of the Page Board, I write to you today for two reasons: 1) To offer my full support for the continuation of the Page Program, and 2) Offer my suggestions on how we can begin to update and strengthen this program to ensure it continues to offer a safe learning experience for our nation's young people.

             As we move forward, I ask that we consider using the following items as a starting point for reform to the Page Program:

             1) Increase the number of Members of Congress on the Page Board and, like the Committee on Standards & Official Conduct, establish equal representation from both parties on the Page Board.  I know we all agree that the issue of safety for the young people in the Page Program is not a partisan one.

             2) Developing a peer counseling program within the Page Program.  Modeled after peer programs that have been successful in our educational system, this would provide pages with an additional outlet to express any problems or concerns that may be easier than reporting to an adult.

            3) The implementation of monthly meetings with the Page Board, pages, as well as a representative from the U.S. Capitol Police.   We should create a system in which all members of the Page Board have more information on any potential problem facing the pages, including receiving reports from the Capitol Police on any possible problems with crime activity on Capitol Hill or in the page dorm neighborhood.

             4) Establish training and guidelines on educating Members of Congress and pages on the job description and responsibilities of those in the Page Program as well as proper relationships with pages, Members of Congress, or any employee of the House of the Representatives.

             I look forward to working with you to achieve our shared goal of improving this great program, and more importantly, ensuring we have put in place the best procedures to protect the safety and welfare of the young people in the Page Program.                                         

Sincerely,

Rep. Shelley Moore Capito

          
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