Dear friends and neighbors,
Every session, I have the pleasure of sponsoring legislative pages from our district — and now is the ideal time to apply for one of these exciting and informative five-day opportunities.
The pages’ varied responsibilities take them all around the Capitol Campus and give them access to places not normally seen by the general public. Invariably, they come away with an appreciation for the program and for the practical experience and knowledge they gain. Many arrive in Olympia feeling shy or nervous, only to discover within hours that the shared experience with their peers is as enjoyable as it is enlightening.
During their respective week working at the Capitol, pages learn about the legislative process while assisting senators and staff. They hear lectures from guest speakers and attend page school where they introduce and debate their own bills in a mock committee setting.
Meeting and working with student pages is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job as a legislator, for two reasons. First, I understand how valuable and informative these experiences are to young people, not just for their enlightenment but to help them become more engaged in our shared civic process. Second, I know firsthand that the better they understand how to participate in government, the more effectively they can work within their communities to address ongoing needs. That’s why I constantly encourage young people to get involved in the Legislature in every way I can — I know that the lessons they learn here will stay with them into adulthood and make them better, more capable citizens throughout life.
I am grateful to each of these young people for their service to the Legislature and I encourage anyone to make the most of this unique opportunity for students between ages 14 and 16.
If you would like to learn more about the page program or how your child can serve as a page in a future session, please go to http://leg.wa.gov/Senate/Administration/PageProgram/Pages/default.aspx.
Until next time,
