PAGE & VISITOR PHOTO GALLERY

Honorary Page Program

wpe5.jpg (7418 bytes)When the Senate is convened, the public is invited to visit the State House to see what happens during a Legislative Session.   Visitors may observe quietly from the back of the Chamber.

The Honorary Page program gives students an opportunity to participate in the process and interact with Legislators.

Students from third grade through high school are invited to serve in the Senate Chamber as Honorary Pages when the Senate is in Session.

Under the supervision of the Sergeant-At-Arms and Chamber Staff, Honorary Pages have the opportunity to see what it’s like to work on the floor of the Senate and be part of a Legislative Session. Pages perform such duties as delivering messages to Senators and distributing Amendments and Supplements in the Chamber.

Getting to the Chamber on Time

The Senate President decides what time each Session begins, but in general, the Senate goes into Session in the morning around 9:00 or 10:00 am. Before Session begins the Honorary Pages receive name badges, meet the Sergeant-At-Arms and receive Chamber instructions. Pages should plan to arrive a half hour to fifteen minutes before the starting time to check in at the Secretary of the Senate’s office on the third floor - Room 327.  Also see General Information for Visiting the State House and   Directions to State House

The length of a Session depends on the amount of business to be taken up and whether there is debate and roll calls. Because there is no way to predict when a Session will end, adults providing transportation are asked to stay with the children. Adults are invited to watch Pages perform their duties from the back of the Chamber.

Honorary Pages are not mandated to stay for an entire Session and can leave whenever they choose. When checking out at the Senate Office, an Honorary Page Certificate is awarded.

Capturing the Memories

Cameras and Camcorders are allowed in visitor areas of the Chamber while the Senate is in Session.

Before and after Session, and during recesses, Pages are welcome to go up to the podium where the Senate President presides over the Session to take pictures and try their hand at banging the gavel. For shorter children there is a step available (just ask one of the Chamber Staff for assistance). The Chamber Staff, Sergeant-At-Arms and Legislators are often available for photos with Honorary Pages if you ask.

Afternoon and Evening Sessions

When the Senate first convenes, Sessions tend to be shorter and only in the mornings to accommodate the busy Committee schedules. As the Legislature gets closer to adjournment, the Senate will meet longer in the morning and often schedule afternoon and/or evening Sessions.

For those who don’t have to travel far and don’t have advance scheduling needs, calling in the afternoon, during the last few weeks before adjournment, will usually find Honorary Page slots available for an afternoon or evening Session that day.

Honorary Pages with Disabilities

The Senate tries to accommodate Honorary Pages with disabilities whenever possible. Those who want to be an Honorary Page and have an adult available to participate with them should contact the Secretary of the Senate’s office to discuss arrangements.

Scheduling an Honorary Page

The Senate schedules up to 10 Honorary Pages for each daily Session.

For more information and scheduling contact
The Secretary of the Senate’s Office
(207) 287-1540
webmaster_senate@legislature.maine.gov

The Secretary of the Senate's Office

Facing the Senate Chamber, on the third floor, the Secretary of the Senate’s office is the first door in the hallway to the left of the Chamber.

House of Representatives Honorary Pages

The House has a larger Chamber and can accommodate larger groups. Members of the group can change during the Session to let everyone in the group have a turn being an Honorary Page.

For more information and scheduling of House Pages contact the office of the Clerk of the House at (207) 287-1400.