Dec. 9, 2008

Dear Friends, 

Think students from ages 14 to 16 would benefit from a week of hands-on experience working in our state Capitol and learning about how the legislative process works? If so, here is their chance to do just that!  Students who spend a week in Olympia as a legislative page will learn a lot about the political system of Washington and meet new friends from all over the state.

The Legislative Page Program allows students between the ages of 14 to 16 to work for the Senate or House of Representatives during the 2009 session, sometime between January and April. Students become paid employees of the Legislature for that week -- working an 8-hour day, delivering messages, handing out documents on the floor, and running other errands that help legislators be more productive. During the workday, they also attend Page School for two hours, where they learn important concepts about civics. The highlight of the week is writing and presenting their own bills as they get the chance to play the role of a legislator in a mock committee hearing.

For those young people traveling from distant parts of the state, private housing is available through host families living in the Olympia area.

Students who would like to be considered for a page position during one of the 15 weeks the Legislature is in session should apply as soon as possible, since the session begins Jan. 12. To find out more about the Page Program, go to www.leg.wa.gov/legislature/StudentsPage and choose the House of Representatives Page Program from the right-hand menu options. Applications may be downloaded from the site and must be sent to my district office as soon as possible for consideration. That address is: P.O Box 1820, Kalama, WA 98625.

Representing you in Olympia is an honor, and it is an honor to host students from my district as legislative pages. As session convenes and progresses, I look forward to keeping you up-to-date on the important issues raised in the 2009 legislative session.

Sincerely,