Senate Page Program
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.
Senate 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.