To be eligible for the school year, applicants must be at least 16 years of age at the time their appointment begins, be in the junior year of high school, have a cumulative grade point average of "B" or better in all major courses to date. Applicants should submit a complete application to their Member of Congress.

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 major courses. Only grades in the following subject areas will be counted: English, science, mathematics, social studies and foreign language -- electives are not included.

Along with the application form, the following items are required: Social Security number, signed parental consent form, official transcript of all high school grades to date (from 9th grade through first semester of current year), a 50-100 word essay on why they want to be a Republican Page, resume of extracurricular activities, three letters of recommendation from back home and a letter of support from the sponsoring Republican Member of Congress. The committee will consider only complete applications submitted in writing by a Republican Member.

Beginning at 6:45 a.m., the school-year pages attend five 40-minute classes at Page School. Located on the third floor (Attic Level) of the Library of Congress Jefferson Building, the Page School is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The summer pages do not attend school.

Five courses are selected from the current school curriculum which consists of American, British or World Literature (all with composition), or Humanities; Algebra II/Trig, Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus or Pre-Calculus; Physics or Chemistry; U.S. History of Government and Politics; Intermediate or Advanced French or Spanish. First-year language courses are not offered nor are Advanced Placement classes. In addition, all school-year pages participate on alternate Saturdays in a Washington seminar program called WISP (Washington Interdisciplinary Studies Program).

The workday begins immediately following the last class (at 9:00am 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 the filing of 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 requirement for males is navy blazer, long sleeved white shirt, dark grey slacks, black socks, black shoes, and a standard issue tie. For females, a navy blazer, long sleeves white blouse, dark grey non-slit skirt or dark grey pants, black shoes, appropriate hose/nylons and a standard-issue tie (navy with red and white stripes) that is provided during orientation.

All pages live at the Page Residence Hall (O'Neill Building directly behind the Cannon Building), 300 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., under the supervision of a resident manager and five proctors who reside on the premises. The third floor is set aside for males and the fourth floor for females. The pages agree in writing to abide by a strict Code of Conduct which includes a curfew of 10 p.m. on weeknights (Sunday - Thursday) and 12 midnight on Friday and Saturday.

The triple rooms are furnished with twin beds, night stands, dressers, desks and chairs. Each of the rooms have a large walk-in closet, a study area, toll-controlled telephone, a small refrigerator, private bathroom and two air-conditioning units. A community room with color television and a microwave oven is available on each floor as well as a laundry room in the basement.

The pages are paid approximately $1000 gross per month with an automatic payroll deduction of $300 to cover the cost of the dorm and seven dinners weekly. They are responsible for their transportation to and from Washington, their uniform, and lunch on weekdays, weekend meals (breakfast and lunch), school supplies and all incidental expenses. In addition, a one-time, refundable security deposit of $100 payable to the U.S. Treasury is required for the dorm.

In order to receive more information and an application for the Congressional Page Program, please send a letter of request to my Washington DC office.

United States Representative
Jo Ann Emerson
Attn: Atalie Ebersole
2440 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 50515
or call
(202) 225-4404