Support H. Res 397 Today

291 Letters and Emails Sent So Far

Support H. Res 397 Today

On August 8, Speaker John Boehner and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi issued a “Dear Colleague” letter concluding one of this country’s oldest traditions in the name of fiscal responsibility and technological advancement. This decision was made without the direct involvement of the House Page Board or members long associated with the Page Program.

Pages, with a history ranging back to the First Continental Congress, remain a vital and necessary part of our political process. As outlined by the Office of the Clerk of the House, House Pages are deemed “essential” in the event of a federal government shutdown, and should continue to be deemed “essential” by the House of Representatives.

This program has benefited thousands of high school students representing all different races, creeds, religions and economic backgrounds. It has assisted in sculpting numerous participant’s passion for public service, and without it, many of Congress’s brightest minds would not have graced the chamber they’ve come to admire.

On September 13, Representive Dan Boren, along with Representative John Dingell and Representative Henry Cuellar introduced H. Res. 397, a resolution that would reinstate the House Page Program and create a nine-member advisory panel tasked with making necessary budgetary and structural changes to the program. Please send this letter to your Member of Congress and help us Save the Page Program!

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May 7, 2013    link
Ann R. from Riverside, CA signed.
March 6, 2012    link
Erik L. from New York, NY writes:
A program that withstood the entirety of American History did so for a reason. Not only did it produce model citizens and political leaders, but pages kept the House running in the very manner in which the Chamber is built. While it has "given in" to some technological advances over the years, the House functions because of its people and the relationships on which it depends. Perhaps the dependency on electronic gadgets is reflective of the breakdown of the fabric of bipartisanship that this Honorable body must rethread in order to remain relevant in these trying days in American history, when we so dearly need our Congress to be relevant and functional. Page(R) 1992-93.
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February 24, 2012    link
Michael B. from Saint Petersburg, FL writes:
I was Congressman Dale Kildee's (D-MI) first Page back in the fall of 1985. It was an incredible, challenging and inspiring experience. Please restore the Page program to give other young men and women such an opportunity. Thank you.
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January 27, 2012    link
Devin D. from Boulder, CO writes:
I was a Page Spring 2010. Because of this I became interested in politics! Give the Page Program opportunity to others!
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January 20, 2012    link
Ronald T. from Pompano Beach, FL signed.
January 9, 2012    link
Gary C. from Knoxville, TN signed.
December 31, 2011    link
craig s. from Alamo, TN signed.
December 20, 2011    link
Edward A. from Annapolis, MD writes:
I was a page and the experience is invaluable to young men and women.
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December 5, 2011    link
Jami D. from Dulles, VA writes:
Please support H. Res. 397 to reinstate the historical and significant page program! Thank you.
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November 28, 2011    link
Dale G. from Friendswood, TX writes:
Please support HR 397 to reinstate this very important program.

Thanks,
Dale Golden
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November 14, 2011    link
Someone from San Angelo, TX signed.
October 30, 2011    link
Natalia L. from Turlock, CA signed.
September 27, 2011    link
Breanna L. from Seattle, WA signed.
September 27, 2011    link
Caroline F. from New Orleans, LA signed.
September 26, 2011    link
Adam R. from Columbia, MO signed.
September 26, 2011    link
Someone from Peoria, IL signed.
September 26, 2011    link
Caroline S. from Alamo, CA signed.
September 25, 2011    link
Jack B. from Tucson, AZ writes:
Please re-instate the Page Program. My daughter, Allison Bybee, was a Page with 9/11. She has recently concluded an internship with the US Mission to the UN, and is intern in the Foreign Office. Want to strangle a raising (political) star? You're ceratinly going about it in the right way by cutting the Page program. Please re-instate the Page Program.

Yours truly,

Jack Bybee, B.A.
South-west Impressionist.
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September 25, 2011    link
Melanie F. from Alexandria, VA writes:
I was a summer page in 1995. The program afforded me the opportunity to live and work in Washington, D.C. for the first time and, since it was during summer vacation, there was no need for my to attend a House-run Page school. After I was a Page and then a Congressional intern during college, I move to Washington and I have lived and worked here for ten years.

I strongly believe in this bill. I believe there is a way to restructure this program to face the harsh realities of our current fiscal situation while not loosing what I can attest to be the lasting benefits of this time honored tradition. I firmly believe that my life-long commitment to government service began during my service as a Page and, in good times and in bad, the U.S. Government needs programs that inspire new generations of Americans to work on the tough issues that our government is faced with each and every day. And no, I don't mean that each and every Page aspires to be a Supreme Court judge or a Congressman. I felt equally inspired to work on tough issues as a civil servant in the Executive Branch.

I believe the sponsors of this bill take the issue of looking for ways to save the House Page program very seriously. As a testament to their commitment to come up with real solutions on how the Page program might be saved, they have recommended that a bi-partisan committee be established to examine possible solutions that would make the program viable once more. I urge Americans that do not know much about the Page program to take a second to read the 2-page long bill. I think it makes a lot of sense. I would also urge each American to recall when and how they got their own start in their career. If a internship, apprenticeship, or mentorship inspired your career, you may understand why I think this program is worth saving.
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September 24, 2011    link
shawn p. from Austin, TX signed.