The Page Program exposes
students to many interesting and challenging experiences. Living
away from home and attending school with students from all 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."
Your interest in the
Senate Page Program is a positive indication to us 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 in Pages of past
generations.
Senator Schumer has been
fortunate enough to appoint students for the Summer Page Program
for the past few years. This program typically consists of two four-week
sessions depending upon the legislative calendar.
General
Information on the Summer Program
The Page Program exposes
students to many interesting and challenging experiences. Living
away from home and attending school with students from all 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.
Summer page eligibility
is limited to students who will be entering their senior year of
high school. 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 service.
Pages are paid on the
basis of an annual salary of $12,597. For the purpose of going on
the payroll, Pages must be citizens of the United States or subject
to agreements of the Department of State, and must have a social
security number.
Since there is limited
space in the Daniel Webster Page Residence Hall, summer 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.
If a summer page elects
to live in the Daniel Webster Page Residence Hall, the cost of living
in Webster Hall is $450 per month and includes breakfast and dinner
Monday through Friday. Payment is made through payroll deduction.
An initial security deposit of $250 is required when checking in
and is refundable when it has been determined that no damage has
occurred to the residence.
Webster Hall is located
at 300 4th Street in Northeast D.C., two blocks from the Hart Senate
Office Building. Staff includes four proctors, who reside within
the building, and two day staff members. Two floors encompass the
living quarters, one of which is designated for young women, the
other for young men. Each floor has a community day room for social
activity.
Pages must share rooms
with each other. Each room is designed for four to six occupants
and is furnished with twin size bunk or loft style beds, desks,
chairs, and bureaus. Each room has closet space, a private bath,
and a telephone, which is shared by the Pages. Laundry facilities
are provided within the building.
United States Capitol
Police maintain a 24-hour security desk and a provision that requires
all individuals to present identification and all visitors and guests
to sign in. Capitol Police patrol the area by car and foot regularly
throughout the day and night. Webster Hall is monitored by a security
alarm system and all emergency and safety measures required by the
District of Columbia for community life structures are present and
enforced.
Summer Page dress requirements
for men are navy blue pants, white long-sleeve shirt, dark blue
tie, and black shoes and socks. Women are required to wear navy
blue slacks, white long-sleeve blouses, dark blue tie, black shoes
and dark socks or nylons. Pages are expected to fulfill their own
dress requirements.
Senate Pages must be
sponsored by a Senator. There are thirty Page positions in the United
States Senate which serve its one hundred Members, therefore not
all of the Senators are able to appoint Pages. Due to the limited
number of positions available and the large pool of interested students,
competition to become a Page is keen and, unfortunately, not all
of those students who desire a position can be accommodated.
Applying
All applicants are requested to submit a cover letter, a listing
of extracurricular activities, and three letters of recommendation.
Ordinarily, all materials should be placed in one packet and mailed
between November 1 and March 15 for the following summer sessions.
However, until timely mail delivery resumes to the United States
Senate, please fax your materials to (202) 228-4562 no later than
March 15.
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.
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