Congress pages assist in various tasks including document transportation, chamber and changing room assistance, and flag raising. The position has been around for over 150 years and requires sponsorship from a member of Congress. Pages receive payment and live in designated residences while attending accredited schools. Good memory and academic standing are important criteria for selection. Pages must apply and do not need to be affiliated with the sponsoring member’s political party.
A congress page transports documents, distributes the Congress Diary, helps in the chambers and changing rooms, participates in congress sessions and raises and lowers the flag on the roof of the capital. Not all congress pages will perform all these functions, but these are among the tasks performed by congress pages. Being a congressional page allows a high school junior to earn a paycheck while being smack dab in the middle of the United States government on Capitol Hill in the nation’s capital, Washington, DC.
The one-page position of Congress has been part of the United States government for over 150 years. The front page was appointed by Senator Daniel Webster in 1829. House pages began serving in 1842. However, a woman did not serve as congressional page until 1971. Majority party pages can double the number of pages for the party minority.
Senate Pages live in the Daniel Webster Page Residence near the Hart Senate Office Building. House Pages live in the House Page Dorm next to the Capitol. A congressional page that serves the Senate for one semester session attends the Senate School, while a congressional page that serves the House for one semester session attends the House Page School. Both schools are accredited freshman and college preparatory schools and offer extracurricular activities and Washington DC-based learning.
Pages receive an annual payment fee with payment for the residency deducted. The residence fee includes all evening meals and some breakfasts. Pages must pay for their own uniforms. Sometimes a congress page participates in free concerts and shows.
A congress page must be in high school and at least sixteen years of age. A member of Congress must sponsor and nominate a congressional page for an academic semester during the school year or a non-academic semester during the summer. Academic standing is the main criterion used in selecting a congress page. A potential congressional page should have a good memory, as the delivery of Senate and House documents, between committees, the Library of Congress, and member offices, requires acknowledgment from all party members and is a big part of what a congress page does.
Potential Pages must call a Representative or Senator for an application, as all Congress Pages must apply to be a Congress Page. If local members of Congress are not accepting applications, the potential congressional page may be able to contact a representative or senator from another state. Although most Pages belong to the same political party as the Congressman’s sponsor, it is not necessary to be affiliated with the same party to become a Congressional Page.
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