A Page In History: How My Childhood Was Cut in the Latest Budget Blow

Recent Congressional Pages

My family, friends and readers know that my view and approach to political science was formed during my tenure as a Congressional Page in Washington, DC when I was 17-years-old. I was appointed during my junior year of High School to serve as a House of Representatives page to then Majority Leader Jim Wright (D-TX) in 1981 at the same time that Ronald Reagan began his first term as President of the United States. It was a magical experience, full of “once-in-a-lifetime” moments, and it was also the most difficult time of my young life.

Today, after more than 200 years in existence, Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) made a joint announcement that effective on August 31, the Congressional Page system will be no more.

The teenage Pages on Capitol Hill have been serving members of congress since 1774 during the Continental Congress – two years before we were officially a nation. During the rigorous selection process, candidates are required to submit high school transcripts, information about extracurricular activities and other criteria, as well as an essay, and three letters of recommendation. All final selections for the majority pages are made by the Speaker of the House, and for minority pages the decision is made by the minority leader.The program has seen many changes over the years to reflect child labor laws, social norms, inclusion of minorities, and the finally the inclusion of females in 1973. The system has also seen it’s share of scandals – one of the biggest during my second year as a page in 1982 (more about that later).

House Pages / Photo circa. 1925

The page system has given high school students the opportunity to work in Congress for a semester (in my day there were no term limits) during their junior year, or for a few weeks during the summer. The young people who serve as pages often have a front seat to historical events and world leaders.

In their joint statement today, Boehner and Pelosi cited the “prohibitive cost of the program and advances in technology.” Both leaders also stated that “this decision was not easy, but it is necessary.”

I can understand and agree. As much as I valued my privileged experience – good and bad – with the page system, I can see that it is an antiquated and cost-prohibitive system. It’s estimated that it costs Congress more than $5 million a year to run the program in addition to a “per Page” cost between $69,000 and $80,000 for Pages to attend high school classes during their service. That’s more expensive than most boarding or private schools. From a budget perspective it makes sense, but from a personal and historical perspective, it sucks to high heaven.

From the origins of the page system in 1774 through the 1940s when Congress was forced to provide adequate housing and schooling for the pages, to modern scandals, congressional pages have had an intricate and  storied history in the fabric of our nation. We were there to witness the formation of our country, the changing tide between political parties and factions, amendments to the Constitution, impeachment, budgets, televised State of the Union addresses, leaders lying in state of the Capitol rotunda, and rubbed elbows with characters from pop culture to world history.

Some former Pages went on to public service, broadcasting, journalism, and one became a software mogul…(partial list):

• Donnald Anderson - Clerk of the House 1987-1995
• Dan Boren - Summer 1989 (later U.S. Congressman)
• Ander Crenshaw - June 1961 (later U.S. Congressman)
• William B. Cushing, naval hero of the American Civil War
• Thomas M. Davis, 1963-1967 – (later U.S. Congressman)
• John Dingell - 1938-1941 (later U.S. Congressman)
• Rush D. Holt Jr. - Summers 1963 & 1964 (later U.S. Congressman)
• Dave Hunt - 1985 (Former Oregon House Speaker)
• Paul E. Kanjorski - 1953 (later U.S. Congressman)
• Bill Owens - (later Governor of Colorado)
• Roger Wicker (later U.S. Congressman and Senator)
• Bill Emerson - 1954 (later U.S. Congressman)
• Bill Gates - 1972 (Founder/CEO of Microsoft)
• Andrew Napolitano - 1966 (Former New Jersey Superior Court Judge & current contributor to Fox News)

I am sad. Part of my childhood is gone from me. One of the most pivotol and memorable experiences of my life has been axed to save the country money. Some will scoff at my tribute to a treasured childhood experience, and that’s alright. I realize the death of the Congressional Page system is a trivial thing considering all that we face as a nation and world. But I’m having my moment and I make no apologies.

After more than 200 years there will be no other Pages. But at a time when I needed direction and inspiration in my life, I was one of those chosen few. I was a Page in history.

=====

P.S. – You remember that scandal in 1982 I mentioned earlier? Well, if you’re ever sitting around my dining room table one evening, we can share a drink and I’ll tell you all about it. For the time being, this little 1982 video from ABC News will have to do.

Remember the recent scandal involving Rep. Larry Craig and his tendency to pick up men in airport bathrooms?….