<home> -- <press releases> -- <April 24, 2007> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—June 8, 2007– After six months of serving on Capitol Hill as a page for the U.S. House of Representatives, Ms. Breanna Gah-Fung Lai graduated from the Congressional Page Program today. Breanna, daughter of George and Debbie Lai of As a Congressional Page, Breanna was responsible for delivering documents between the House members’ offices, House committees, and the Library of Congress. She also helped prepare the House chamber each session day by distributing the Congressional Record and other documents related to the day’s agenda, worked in the cloakroom, and delivered messages to Members on the House Floor when Congress was in session. At the same time, Breanna attended the “Breanna is a very bright and motivated student and it was a pleasure having her here on Capitol Hill these past six months,” Congresswoman Bordallo said. “Her warmth and friendliness earned her many friends from across the country. She has been a very good ambassador for our island, and I thank her for her service as a page and I congratulate her parents, George and Debbie Lai, for raising such a talented young lady. ” Congresswoman Bordallo was one of five Members of Congress who attended the graduation and departing ceremony for this year’s page class today on Capitol Hill. Breanna is the second student from The Congressional Page Program dates back to the 1800s, when pages were first invited to the United States Capitol to courier official messages and important documents around the building for Members of Congress. Today’s program is highly competitive and selective. Students must be at least 16-years-old, a junior in high school, and have a 3.0 grade point average in “core” academic courses such as English, science, and mathematics in order to be nominated. While in the Page Program, pages earn a stipend and live two blocks away from the United States Capitol in the House Page Residence Hall. Normally, each Member of Congress has the opportunity to nominate a page once every five or six years. With the transfer of control of the 110th Congress in November 2006 from Republican to Democratic control, the ratio of Majority to Minority of the 70 Page slots shifted increasing the opportunity for Democratic Members of Congress. Congresswoman Bordallo took immediate advantage of the new opportunity and nominated a student who was both qualified and able to participate on very short notice.
Photo 1 (L-R): Samantha Lai, sister; Debbie Lai, mother; Breanna “Boo” Lai Guam’s 2007 Congressional Page; and George Lai, father.
Photo 2: Breanna “Boo” Lai receives her Certificate of Completion from the 2007 Congressional Page Program. (L-R): Congressman Patrick Kennedy ( ### Contact: Joseph E. Duenas in joseph.duenas@mail.house.gov or cathy.gault@mail.house.gov |
