Your interest in the Congressional Page Program is a positive indication to Senator Cochran 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 for Page of past generations.

The Page Program exposes students to many interesting and challenging experiences. Living away from home and attending school with students from 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.

Page eligibility is limited to juniors in high school who will be 16 on or before the date of appointment and who maintain a 3.0 or higher grade point average. 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 services.

Pages are paid on the basis of an annual salary of $14,500. Pages must be citizens of the United States or subject to agreements of the Department of State, and must have a social security number.

A Page's day begins at 6:15 a.m. when he or she reports to the United States Senate Page School. The Senate Page School is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and schools. Due to the varying lengths of service that Pages may be appointed for the Page School seeks to provide as smooth a transition as possible between Washington and the home school. In addition to providing the necessary requisites for a junior year course of study, including mathematics, English, social studies, and science, the Page School offers a Washington Seminar Program to assure each pupil's participation and exposure to the unique educational and cultural opportunities which exist in the nation's Capital. Foreign language study may be accomplished with the assistance of the Page's home school. Tutors will be provided, but all work must be completed outside the scheduled school and work hours.

The school year consists of two semesters. The first semester runs from early September through January; the second from February through mid-June. Pages must submit a home school transcript and a certificate of immunization to quality for attendance at the school.

The Senate Page School is located in the lower level of Webster Hall, the Senate Page Residence. Any questions specific to the Page School should be directed to Mrs. Kathryn Weeden, Principal, United States Senate Page School, United States Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510, (202) 224-3926.

Following classes at the Page School, which extend until 9:30 a.m. or one hour prior to the commencement of the Senate, Pages report for duty to their respective Cloakrooms and work until 5:00 p.m. or until the Senate adjourns for the day, whichever is later. When sessions extend past 10:00 p.m., the next day's classes are postponed.

Pages are required to live in the Daniel Webster Senate Page Residence during the school year. The cost of living in the residence hall is $450 per month and includes breakfast and dinner each day. Payment is made through payroll deduction. An initial security deposit of $250 is required to the residence.

Webster Hall is located two blocks from the Hart Senate Office Building. Staff includes a Program Director, Administrative Aide and four proctors. Proctors reside in Webster Hall. Two floors encompass living quarters, one of which is designated for young women, the other young men. Each floor has a community day room for social activity.

United States Capitol Police maintain a 24-hour security desk and a provision that required all individuals to present identification and all visitors and guest must sign in. Capitol Police patrol the area by car and foot regularly through the day and night. Webster Hall is monitored by a security alarm system and all emergency and safety measured required by the District of Columbia for community life structures are present and enforced.

Dress requirements for men are navy blue suit, white long-sleeve shirt, dark blue tie, black shoes and dark socks. Women wear navy blue pant suits, white long-sleeve blouses, black shoes and dark socks. The Page Program provides pages with a uniform. Pages are expected to provide their own belt and shoes.

Senate Pages must be sponsored by a Senator. There are thirty Pages positions in the United States Senate which serve its one hundred members, therefore not all Senators are able to appoint Pages. Due to the limited number of positions and the volume of interested students, competition is keen and, unfortunately, not all students who seek a position can be accommodated.

Senators may also appoint students for the Summer Page Program. This program typically consists of two four-week sessions depending on the legislative calendar. All information for the summer program is identical to the school year program with the following exceptions: Summer Page dress requirements do not include a suit jacket. Since there is limited space in Webster Hall, 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. Finally Page School is not in session during the summer program.

If you are a Mississippian and are interested in applying for a Senate Page position with Senator Cochran and you meet the requirements of junior status and 16 years of age, you should complete the Page application.

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.

Thank you for interest in the United States Senate Page Program.