WASHINGTON–DC–Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) is eligible to nominate a local high school junior for the US House of Representatives Page Program to study and work in Washington–DC during the upcoming spring semester. Eligible students must have at least a 3.0 GPA and be at least 16 by the beginning of the program. Participants will begin the spring semester in Washington on Sunday–January 30–2005 and finish on Friday–June 10–2005.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for young Americans to experience their nation’s capital and the lawmaking process up close," Congressman Schiff said.
Upholding a tradition over 200 years old–House Pages deliver correspondence and legislative material in the Capitol Complex. They also work within the Democratic and Republican cloakrooms taking messages and answering phones. In addition–Pages attend the House Page School in the Library of Congress’ Jefferson Building. Accredited through the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools–students take a "college prep" curriculum of computer technology–English–mathematics–social studies and either French or Spanish.
Participants live in the Page Residence Hall–a dormitory-style building near the Capitol and Library of Congress–staffed by a director and five assistants. In addition–the lobby desk is always staffed with a US Capitol police officer. Three pages are assigned to each room to share a private bath and phone. Pages are paid a monthly gross salary of $1,461.67–but they are responsible for $400 per month in rent and a $100 security deposit as well as travel and personal expenses. Five breakfasts–five lunches and seven dinners per week are included within the rent. In addition–while pages are provided with a uniform tie–they must bring with them specific clothes acceptable to the uniform-style dress code.
Applications and more information are available on Congressman Schiff’s website at www.house.gov/schiff. Completed applications must be received at his Pasadena office at 35 S. Raymond Ave. no later than Wednesday–October 27. Applications must be accompanied with three letters of recommendation and official grade transcripts for the 9th and 10th grades. Signed "Declaration of Parental Consent" and "Requiremen’s for Being a Page" forms–also available on his website–must be submitted as well. While certain Members of Congress–such as Congressman Schiff–are offered the opportunity to nominate a local youth–all final selection decisions are made by the Majority and Minority Leaders’ offices–and the program is administered through the House of Representatives’ Office of the Clerk.
Congressman Schiff represents California’s 29th Congressional District–which includes the communities of Alhambra–Altadena–Burbank–East Pasadena–East San Gabriel–Glendale–Monterey Park–Pasadena–San Gabriel–South Pasadena and Temple City.