The Page Program exposes students to many interesting and challenging
experiences. Living away from home and attending school with students
from all across the country allows pages to experience a myriad
of new ideas, perspectives, and issues. Pages meet some of the Nation's
most prominent leaders and witness firsthand the political debates
of the United States Senate, often referred to as the "greatest
deliberative body in the world."
Your interest in the Senate Page Program is a positive indication
to us that you are a concerned American citizen with a willingness
to learn and contribute significantly to the Legislative branch
of our government. Perhaps such an association will crystallize
a future for you in service to the United States and its citizenry,
as it has in Pages of past generations.
Senator Schumer has been fortunate enough to appoint students for
the Summer Page Program for the past few years. This program typically
consists of two four-week sessions depending upon the legislative
calendar.
General Information on the Summer
Program
The Page Program exposes students to many interesting and challenging
experiences. Living away from home and attending school with students
from all across the country allows pages to experience a myriad
of new ideas, perspectives, and issues. Pages meet some of the Nation's
most prominent leaders and witness firsthand the political debates
of the United States Senate, often referred to as the "greatest
deliberative body in the world."
Pages play an important role in the day-to-day operation of the
Senate. Their schedule can be long and tedious, and requires tremendous
endurance; good health and stamina are requirements which cannot
be waived.
Summer page eligibility is limited to students who will be entering
their senior year of high school. Certification of immunization
and general health assessment completed by a licensed physician
are required. Pages are also required to be covered by health insurance;
if not covered, they will be required to enroll in the Federal Employees
Health Benefits Program.
Page duties consist primarily of delivery of correspondence and
legislative material within the Congressional Complex. Other duties
include taking messages for Members, calling them to the phone,
preparing the Chamber for Senate sessions, and carrying bills and
amendments to the desk. A rotation system is practiced so that every
Page has an opportunity to experience all areas of service.
Pages are paid on the basis of an annual salary of $12,597. For
the purpose of going on the payroll, Pages must be citizens of the
United States or subject to agreements of the Department of State,
and must have a social security number.
Since there is limited space in the Daniel Webster Page Residence
Hall, summer pages may live with their parents or a relative in
the area; alternate housing arrangements must be approved in writing
by the parents or legal guardian.
If a summer page elects to live in the Daniel Webster Page Residence
Hall, the cost of living in Webster Hall is $450 per month and includes
breakfast and dinner Monday through Friday. Payment is made through
payroll deduction. An initial security deposit of $250 is required
when checking in and is refundable when it has been determined that
no damage has occurred to the residence.
Webster Hall is located at 300 4th Street in Northeast D.C., two
blocks from the Hart Senate Office Building. Staff includes four
proctors, who reside within the building, and two day staff members.
Two floors encompass the living quarters, one of which is designated
for young women, the other for young men. Each floor has a community
day room for social activity.
Pages must share rooms with each other. Each room is designed for
four to six occupants and is furnished with twin size bunk or loft
style beds, desks, chairs, and bureaus. Each room has closet space,
a private bath, and a telephone, which is shared by the Pages. Laundry
facilities are provided within the building.
United States Capitol Police maintain a 24-hour security desk and
a provision that requires all individuals to present identification
and all visitors and guests to sign in. Capitol Police patrol the
area by car and foot regularly throughout the day and night. Webster
Hall is monitored by a security alarm system and all emergency and
safety measures required by the District of Columbia for community
life structures are present and enforced.
Summer Page dress requirements for men are navy blue pants, white
long-sleeve shirt, dark blue tie, and black shoes and socks. Women
are required to wear navy blue slacks, white long-sleeve blouses,
dark blue tie, black shoes and dark socks or nylons. Pages are expected
to fulfill their own dress requirements.
Senate Pages must be sponsored by a Senator. There are thirty Page
positions in the United States Senate which serve its one hundred
Members, therefore not all of the Senators are able to appoint Pages.
Due to the limited number of positions available and the large pool
of interested students, competition to become a Page is keen and,
unfortunately, not all of those students who desire a position can
be accommodated.
Applying
All applicants are requested to submit a cover letter, a listing
of extracurricular activities, and three letters of recommendation.
Ordinarily, all materials should be placed in one packet and mailed
between November 1 and March 15 for the following summer sessions.
However, until timely mail delivery resumes to the United States
Senate, please fax your materials to (202) 228-4562 no later than
March 15.
When and if you are notified of your selection to serve as a Page,
you will be furnished with further information and requirements
of the program.
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