Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he has been informed by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to nominate a Congressional Page for the summer session of the U.S. House of Representatives Democratic Page Program.  The summer session this year starts on Sunday, June 7, 2009 and ends on Saturday, June 27, 2009. 

The House of Representatives Page program provides opportunities to junior year high school students to study in the Page School, accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, while serving as support staff for the U.S. House of Representatives.  The Pages are required to live in the supervised House Page Residence Hall. 

 To be considered in the Page program, the student must meet the requirements listed below and be nominated by a Member of Congress. 

• 3.0 GPA based on core academic courses (math, English, science, social studies, and foreign language).
• Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national
• Be a high school junior or just completed sophomore or junior year.
• Be 16 years old by the beginning of the Page term.
• The deadline for applying is Monday, April 20, 2009.

 If selected, the student will earn a salary averaging about $420 per week before deductions for federal and state taxes, social security and Residence Hall fee, are taken out.  The student will be responsible for his or her own travel expenses to and from Washington, DC, and is required to have or purchase all uniform items upon arrival.  Students are encouraged to bring sufficient funds to cover meals not provided at the residence hall, weekend activities, and any incidental expenses until their first pay is received.

 “The Congressional Page Program is one of the most prestigious academic programs offered by the U.S. Congress and I am grateful to Speaker Pelosi for allowing our territory the opportunity to select a student from American Samoa to attend this learning institution,” Faleomavaega said.

 “I believe this will be a golden opportunity for a student who may want to learn and experience up close how our national legislative process works.” 

 “Students interested in being considered for the Congressional Page Summer session must contact my Chief of Staff Iuli Godinet immediately at my office in Utulei to learn more about the program and to obtain the application forms,” Faleomavaega concluded.