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The Senate gained its first page in 1829, a nine-year-old boy named Grafton Hanson who was appointed by Senator Daniel Webster. Throughout the 19th century, Senate pages served as messengers and general helpers. Usually around twelve years old, early pages were often local orphans or children of widowed mothers and their Senate income helped the family. Today, Senate pages come from all 50 states. Still appointed and sponsored by a senator, they must be high school juniors, at least sixteen years old, and attend school. Senate page duties consist primarily of delivery of correspondence and legislative material within the Congressional complex. Other duties include preparing the chamber for Senate sessions, and carrying bills and amendments to the desk. Pages attend classes in the early morning at the United States Senate Page School, a program fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Contact your senator’s office for more information on applying to be a Senate Page.
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