Congressional Page Nominations
Currently, 66 young men and women are appointed by their Members of Congress to serve as pages in the US House of Representatives. The Republican Members appoint 54 of these high school juniors.
To be eligible to serve as a Page, all applicants must be at least 16 years of age at the time their appointment begins and have a cumulative grade point average of "B" (3.0 or 85/100) or better in the five major subjects to date. The subject areas counted are: English, science, mathematics, social studies and foreign language - electives will not be included. An official transcript of all grades (from 9th grade through at least the first semester of the current year) is required to verify the cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Summer Term and Application Deadline
Additionally, summer program applicants may only serve as a Page during the summer before or the summer after their junior year of high school. School-year program applicants may only serve for their junior year of high school.
Applications for both the 2009 summer sessions and the school year session must be submitted by March 30, 2009. Along with the application 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, and a letter of support from Congressman Lee Terry. The Speaker's Office will not accept applications from students directly - only Members of Congress may forward an application.
Curriculum
Beginning at 6:45 a.m., the school-year Pages attend five 40-minute classes at Page School. Located on the 4th 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, consisting of:
American, British or World Literature (all with composition), or Humanities
•Algebra II/Trigonometry, Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus or Pre-Calculus
•Physics or Chemistry
•U.S. History or Government and Politics
•Intermediate or Advanced French or Spanish.
Schedule, Dress Requirements, Housing and Salary
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 9:00 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. 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 a navy blazer, long-sleeved white shirt, dark gray slacks, dark socks, dark shoes and a standard-issue tie (navy with red and white stripes). For females, a navy blazer, long-sleeved white shirt, dark gray skirt or pants, dark shoes, appropriate hosiery and a standard-issue tie (navy with red and white stripes) that is provided during orientation.
All Pages are required to live at the Page Residence Hall (O'Neill Building, directly behind the Cannon House Office 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 the strict Code of Conduct, which includes a curfew of 10 p.m. on the weeknights and midnight on the weekends.
The triple rooms are furnished with twin beds, nightstands, dressers, desks and chairs. Each of the rooms has 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.
Pages are paid approximately $1,236.33 gross per month, with an automatic payroll deduction of $400 to cover the cost of the dorm and five dinners weekly. They are responsible for their transportation to and from Washington, their uniform, breakfast (other than cafeteria-style provided to school year Pages) and lunch on weekdays, weekend meals, 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.
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 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 or work week.
If you wish to be nominated by Congressman Terry, please send appropriate information to the Washington, DC office at the following address:
The Honorable Lee Terry
Attention: Page Coordinator
11717 Burt Street Suite 106
Omaha, NE 68154