Constituent Services

As your U.S. Representative, I am pleased to offer a broad range of services to you in both the 3rd district of Pennsylvania and in Washington D.C. Whether you are seeking assistance with a federal agency, requesting a tour, ordering a flag, or inquiring about an internship, my offices in Erie, Butler, Mercer, Warren and Washington would be happy to assist you. Below you will find all of the services I can provide to you. Please explore the links and feel free to contact me if I can be of service.

Casework

One of the most important things that I do as Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District’s U.S. Representative is assist constituents experiencing difficulties with specific federal agencies. Although I am unable to compel an agency to act in favor of a constituent, I can often intervene on a person's behalf to answer questions, find solutions, or just simply cut through the red tape.

If you can't get an answer from a federal agency in a reasonable time or have been treated unfairly, we are here to help resolve the problem or get you the information you need...read more

Flags

Unites States flags can be purchase through my office and flown over the U.S. Capitol for any constituent in Pennsylvania's 3rd Congressional District. Flags come personalized with a certificate of authenticity.

Interested constituents should print out and complete the order form and mail to my Erie Office. Please note that your order will take approximately 4-6 weeks to be processed.

Getting Grants

Information Web page, prepared by the Congressional Research Service for Members of Congress, which gives guidance and Internet resources on Federal grants and nonfinancial assistance, as well as on private foundation funding. The Slide show "Grants Information for Constituents" provides overview and tips, reviews key sources, and demonstrates doing a typical grants request... read more

Military Academies

Each year I have the privilege to appoint a select group of candidates to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point. To be eligible for such a nomination, interested applicants must be residents of Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District, be between the ages of 17 and 23, unmarried and have no other dependents.

All applicants are judged on a competitive basis, I individually examine each student’s SAT or ACT scores, class rank, grade point average, school records and letters of recommendation. In addition, I seek advice from my Academy Review Board which is comprised of military and veteran experts throughout the 3rd District. During the application process all candidates are required to interview with the Board.

Students wishing to attend a U.S. Service Academy upon graduation from high school are strongly encouraged to contact my office during the spring of their junior year. The deadline for submission of ALL application materials will be due October 29, 2007.

To request an application or receive further information please contact my Erie office.

Internship Information

I welcome all resumes from college students interested in either full or part-time internships in my district and Washington, D.C. offices.

Interns gain a unique perspective into the workings of the federal government, the legislative process, and constituent service. By assisting my district staff, interns will have the opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge about how a congressional office provides constituent services, interacts with the community and serves as a liaison to my Washington, D.C. office. Students will assist the staff in researching case work and corresponding with government agencies.

In Washington, interns will stay up to date with what is happening in the halls of Congress by learning the legislative process and experiencing the inner workings of the federal government. Students will be used as research assistants, assist with flag requests, provide tours of the Capitol for visiting constituents and be assigned various other legislative and administrative duties.

All internships offered through my office are unpaid however candidates may be able to receive college credit for their internship through their college or university.

Students interested in interning in my Washington, D.C. office should contact Nancy Billet at: (202-225-5406). For an internship in Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District, interested students should contact the appropriate district office.

Republican Page Program

The U.S. House of Representative Page Program offers high school students the opportunity to experience Congress in action and assist in official House duties. Rather than working in an individual Member's office, pages work as a team on the House floor with their peers from around the country.

As a member of the House of Representatives, I have the honor to sponsor a high school student from Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District to participate in this unique program and experience the federal government first hand. To qualify to serve as a page, students must be at least sixteen years old, have a 3.0 grade point average or better, and serve before or after their junior year of high school.

All interested parties should contact my Erie office for an application packet.

Booking Tours Through Phil's Office

My Washington D.C. office can assist constituents with their visit to the nation’s capitol. Congressional tours of the White House, Capitol, FBI and Bureau of Engraving and Printing can be scheduled by contacting the office or completing the Tour Request Form. A limited number of tours is available, interested constituents should make arrangements as far in advance as possible. A minimum of 2-3 months is recommended... read more

Congressional Art Competition

Each year, Members of the United States House of Representatives recognize the creative spirit of American high school students in a nationwide art competition. Students in grade nine through 12 from Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District are eligible to submit their original artwork to be considered for the competition. In addition to a cash prize, courtesy of Edinboro University, the winning entry will be displayed with winners from across the country in a corridor of the U.S. Capitol.

Interested students should encourage their high school to participate by having them contact my Erie County Office for more information.

Educational Resources


Financial Aid for Students