Currently, seventy-two young men and women are appointed by their Member of Congress to serve as Pages in the U.S. House of Representatives. Twenty-four slots are reserved for Republican Pages.

The Fall Session will begin September 2, 2007, and conclude January 25, 2008. The Spring Session will last from January 27, 2008, though June 27, 2008. Summer 2008 dates have yet to be released.

To be eligible for the school year, all applicants must be at least 16 years of age at the time their appointment begins, be in their junior year of high school, and have a cumulative grade point average of “B” or better in all major courses to date. To be eligible for the summer program, applicants must also be at least 16 years of age at the time of their appointment, have a “B” average or better, and be willing to serve as a page for approximately one month during the summer before or after their junior year of high school. The definition of a “B” average is a 3.0 on a 4 point scale, or an 80 or better on a 100 point scale. Applicants should submit a completed application to my office for review and recommendation.

An official transcript of all grades (from 9th grade through at least the first semester of current year) is required to verify the cumulative grade point average of “B” or better in the major courses. Only grades in the following subject areas will be included in the GPA tally: English, science, mathematics, social studies, and foreign language – electives are not included.

Along with the application form and transcript, the following items are required: social security number, a signed parental consent form, a 50-100 word essay on why they want to become a Republican Page, a resume of extra-curricular activities, three letters of recommendation.

The Page School is located in the Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress. The academic year consists of the fall semester, which begins in September after Labor Day and goes through the end of January, and the spring semester, which begins at the end of January and continues through the first week in June. The Page School is fully accredited through the Middle States Association of Colleges and is based on a year-long curriculum, which awards one-half credit for each semester of work in a course. Classes begin at 6:45 a.m. and include math, English, social studies, science, French/Spanish, and computer technology. Page School activities also include Washington Seminars, featuring field trips and speakers. Seminars are usually held on Saturdays and attendance is mandatory.

The workday begins immediately following the last class (at 9:00 a.m. for summer pages) and extends to at least 5:00 p.m., or until the House adjourns for the day – whichever is later. The Pages report to their page supervisor where the first order of the day may be filing the Congressional Record from the previous day’s proceedings. The Pages serve primarily as messengers delivering legislative material between the various buildings of Capitol Hill. During the course of the day, the Pages accumulate points for “runs” (or deliveries). Those with the highest number of points may be excused early when the House goes into late-night sessions.

The dress required for males is a navy blazer, long sleeved white shirt, dark gray slacks, dark socks, dark shoes, and a standard issue tie. For females, a navy blazer, long sleeved white blouse, dark gray skirt or dark gray pants, dark shoes, appropriate hose and a standard issue tie. The ties, which are provided during orientation, are navy with red and white stripes.

All academic Pages are required to live at the Page Residence Hall, under the supervision of a director and five assistants, all of whom are adults and live in the Page Residence Hall. The dorms are coeducational, with one floor for young men and one for young women. Security for the residence hall includes foot patrols and a lobby desk staffed around the clock by U.S. Capitol Police.

The triple rooms are furnished with twin beds, dressers, desks and chairs. Each of the rooms has a large walk-in closet, a study area, toll-controlled telephone, private bathroom and three air-conditioning units. A community room with a color television is available on the first floor. A kitchen and pantry area is also available for Page use. A laundry room, study room, computer room, and fitness room are all located on the second floor.

Pages earn a stipend while in Washington, D.C. Automatic deductions are made for federal and state taxes, social security, and the Residence Hall fee. They are responsible for their transportation to and from Washington and their uniform.

Please keep in mind that Pages are employees of the U.S. House of Representatives, and are an important part of the legislative process. Before making your decision to become a Page, it is imperative that you understand that all family activities, as well as home school and community activities, which would interrupt your Page school and or work activities must be put on hold until you are no longer a Page. Pages will not be permitted to return home to attend family reunions, parent promotion ceremonies, family trips, home school activities such as conferences, sports events, proms, etc., if they occur during the school and or work week.

For more information regarding the Page Program, please visit http://pageprogram.house.gov/index.html

If you are interested in applying for the Page Program, please call my Washington office at (202) 225-2571.