Rep. Slaughter Highlights Dedication of Congressional Page Elizabeth Burkley

Niagara High Student Honors District and the Page Program in Washington
Photo of Rep. Slaughter & Elizabeth Burkley Attached

Washington, DC - Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (D-Fairport), Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee, is pleased to highlight the work of a local student, Elizabeth Burkley of Niagara Wheatfield High School. Liz's interest in government and her commitment to the community is a testament to the people of Niagara and to the ideals of the Congressional Page Program of which she is now a part.

"Washington is lucky to have the service of someone as dedicated to and enthusiastic about her work as Liz," Rep. Slaughter said. "Every day, she demonstrates the kind of committed character our nation needs in those who work in public service," she added. "I know that her tremendous accomplishments to date are just the beginning of a life of achievement."

"This has already been one of the greatest parts of my life," Ms. Burkley said of her time as a Congressional Page. "I never thought I would really get in to the Program. It's incredible to be experiencing the importance of what goes on here," she added.

"As soon as I learned about the Page Program, I was immediately interested in it," she continued. "The whole opportunity intrigued me. I love when Congress is in session, to be able to listen to the debate occurring on the Floor. Things are run so precisely. It's amazing that I get to observe what's happening from the sideline, but also get to be involved in the process."

Liz had already spent time volunteering in the Niagara district office of Rep. Slaughter when her parents took a vacation trip to Washington, D.C. While on a tour of the Capitol, they noticed the Pages on duty. They told Liz about them when they returned, and she quickly decided that the Page Program was something she wanted to be a part of. Upon learning that it was not Rep. Slaughter's turn to nominate a district student to be a Congressional Page (each Member is periodically given the chance to nominate an individual from their district), Liz wrote letters to every Member of Congress and asked them to nominate her if they couldn't find someone suitable from their own pool of applicants. While her effort wasn't successful at the time, it revealed her great personal determination to be a Page. When it was again Rep. Slaughter's turn to nominate a student for the position, Liz was chosen.

BACKGROUND

Elizabeth Burkley, 16, is an honors student at Niagara Wheatfield High School.  She is involved in several extracurricular activities and sports, including the French Club, school musicals, Junior Varsity Softball, and J.V. Volleyball.  Liz volunteered on-and-off during the school year at the Niagara Falls District Office. As her father is the Presbyterian Minister in town, it comes as no surprise that she is also very involved in her church - President of her Youth Group, Member of the puppet ministry team, Member of the Nominating Committee of the Synod of the Northeast, and Youth Advisory Delegate to the Synod of the Northeast.