Boren, Joined by Dingell and Cuellar, Introduces Legislation to Reinstate the House Page Program

Statement

Today, U.S. Representative Dan Boren, joined by Dean of the House John Dingell and Representative Henry Cuellar, introduced H.Res. 397, which would reinstate the House Page Program. The House Page Program was terminated after an announcement made by Speaker Boehner and Democratic Leader Pelosi on August 8, 2011.

H.Res. 397 would direct the House Committee on Administration to create a nine-member advisory panel to develop recommendations for the operation of the House Page Program. The panel would consist of six Members of Congress, three from the majority and three from the minority party, as well as three former House Pages.

The advisory panel would be tasked with formulating a plan for the future of the House Page Program, including changes aimed at cost-reduction and modernization of the role of pages. Once the panel delivers its recommendations, the page program would be reinstated the following school semester.

"I am committed to restoring the tradition of young people serving in the House of Representatives," said Boren. "Since the short-sighted decision to end the program was handed down by leadership, my office has received an outpouring of support for the reinstatement of the program. I understand the need to cut our expenses in Washington, but we may be able to run the program with no cost to taxpayers based on the recommendations of the advisory panel. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this important resolution and begin the process of revitalizing the House Page Program."

"As a former page myself, I know firsthand the benefits this program brings to young people" said Dingell. "I commend Mr. Boren for his leadership on this important issue by introducing this resolution. While I understand the fiscal constraints currently facing our nation, we must not forget the value this program brings to young people and the House of Representatives as a whole. Getting young people engaged in public service is certainly valuable. The establishment of an advisory panel to make recommendations for reestablishing the program will help us address the problems which led to the termination of the page program and will make it more efficient in the long run."

"The House Page Program, which has been in existence since 1827, has brought scores of young men and women to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. These young men and women have gone on to become exceptional members of our society," Cuellar said. "House Pages are dedicated and committed individuals and so many of them have answered the call of public duty at a young age. We must allow them every opportunity to continue their public service and become well-rounded and suited individuals of society. In all earnest efforts, I join Congressmen Boren and Dingell in looking at ways to reinstate the House Page Program."

Pages have been an integral part of the legislative process dating back to the First Constitutional Convention. Former pages have gone on to become today's leaders, both in government and the private sector. Many Members of Congress, current Congressional Staffers, and other public servants first became interested in serving the United States government as a result of their time spent as a Page in their youth. Some notable former pages include Bill Gates, former Senator Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) and former South Carolina Governor David Beasley.

On August 22, 29 Members of Congress, including Boren, Dingell and Cuellar, sent a bi-partisan letter to House Speaker John Boehner and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi calling on them to reconsider the decision to eliminate the House Page Program. The letter highlighted the benefits of the House Page Program, and suggested ways to reform the program rather than terminating it abruptly. The letter also expressed the Members' disappointment that they were not brought into the decision making process and given a chance to voice their support for the continuation of the program.

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