Pelath Seeking Pages For 2008
MICHIGAN CITY - State Rep. Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, has announced that he is seeking students living in House District 9 to serve as pages during the 2008 session of the Indiana General Assembly.

"The House page program is an unparalleled opportunity for junior high and high school students to gain insight and perspective into the world of state government," Pelath said. "It gives young people a hands-on experience into the legislative process and allows them to see how public policy shapes the world around them. Their time with the General Assembly is truly a civics lesson brought to life."

Students accepted into the page program are invited to Indianapolis for a day where they will receive a tour of the Statehouse and then spend the remainder of their time working alongside legislative assistants and interns.

On Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, which are session days, pages will have the opportunity to sit on the chamber floor and witness their representatives debating issues on bills that may become law. On Wednesdays, which are committee days, pages will attend hearings where the public is given the opportunity to provide their input on potential legislation.

There are no pages on Fridays.

Students may apply by sending an e-mail to H9@in.gov or by mailing a letter of interest to State Rep. Scott Pelath in care of the Indiana House of Representatives, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204. Those interested may also call (800) 382-9842.

The applicant should include his or her name, the name of parents or guardians, e-mail address, home address and phone number, school name and two potential paging dates.

Students who serve as pages receive an excused absence from school. Participants must be at least 13 years old and provide their own transportation to Indianapolis. If the student would like to serve with a friend, they should indicate that on their application.

Paging opportunities continue through the duration of the legislative session, which will begin in early January and last through mid-March.

Back in the early 90's during the a big school funding crisis, we got picked to page for Mary Kay Budak as a group from Elston High School. As a stroke of luck Mrs Budak got us into see then-Governor Bayh to supposedly talk about our concerns for school funding. We were supposed to get 5 minutes, and then leave when he was done. We got into his office OK, but instead of talking about schools, he got busy talking about the decorations of his office, which first lady bought this painting... blah, blah, blah. Finally after about 3 minutes of this, someone who was running out of patience (me) interupted him and told him that the history was interesting, but we wanted to see him because of our school funding concerns. He gave a quick BS answer about doing everything he could do, and we were out of his office in about 30 seconds. Then this is the part where things got interesting. We had brought a banner with us asking the gov not, that the kids from one of the local elemetary school. We took it and hung it from one of the second floor balconies, until the governor's security force showed up and so kindly informed us that we either had to leave the capitol or face being arrested. We were also informed as we made our way out of the doors, that we weren't welcome to come back! I made sure to vote against Bayh all three times I have had the chance.