STUDENTS EXPERIENCE STATE LEGISLATURE AS A SENATE PAGE – Straight From The Senate

The Indiana General Assembly’s 2015 legislative session will be soon be underway. The upcoming session will be particularly notable because legislators will be working together to pass a comprehensive state budget that will fund government services — like education, infrastructure and public safety — for the next two years.

One important part of every session is welcoming Hoosier students from around the state to participate in a full day of legislative activity through the Senate Page Program. I invite and encourage Fort Wayne area students in grades six through 12 to participate in this educational experience.

The Senate Page Program is a special opportunity to witness the legislative process firsthand, get to know state lawmakers and listen to debates on important issues.

Each day of session, many interested citizens and groups from a number of different fields come to the statehouse. Whether it’s manufacturing, health care, banking, farming or another segment of concerned citizens, these folks come to have their voices heard on legislation that could impact them. Students who are here as a page for the day gain exposure to these varied career areas, meet new people and experience the vibrant Statehouse atmosphere. We also hope the program sparks a continued interest in government and public service.

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The 119th session of the Indiana General Assembly begins January 6, and pages are welcome Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Groups are scheduled for Wednesdays.

Students who participate in the one-day page program will tour the state capitol, work with Senate staff, meet their local senator, and observe up-close the interworking of state government.

Students may apply online at www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/page-program or send me a letter expressing an interest in the page program. Letters can be sent beginning in December and should be addressed to Sen. David Long c/o Indiana Senate, State of Indiana, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204.

All requests need to include the parent or legal guardian’s contact information as well as the student’s name, age, grade level and school affiliation or homeschool status. Friends, siblings or groups wanting to page on the same day should send requests together.

Page positions are limited, and the program fills up quickly, so interested students should apply as soon as possible.

After the page office processes requests, accepted students will receive confirmation of their scheduled dates to serve. Participating as a page is an excused absence from school.

As always, please contact me with your questions and concerns by email at Senator.Long@iga.in.gov or by phone at 800-382-9467.