State Sen. Bray encourages students to serve as pages

State Sen. Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) invites area middle school and high school students to spend a day at the Indiana Statehouse and serve as Senate pages during the 2013 legislative session, which runs from Jan. 7 to April 29.

"During my first session as a state senator, I hope to welcome many young Hoosiers from our area to the Statehouse," Bray said. "The page program is a unique learning experience for students that allows them to work with legislators and staff, hear floor debate on important issues and tour their state Capitol."

Interested students should submit page requests as soon as possible by visiting www.in.gov/senatepageprogram. Requests may also be emailed to Senator.Bray@iga.in.gov or sent by mail to: State Sen. Rodric Bray, Indiana Senate, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204

All requests need to include student's name, address, home telephone number, age and school affiliation.

Friends wanting to page on the same day should send requests together. Bray said specific date requests will be considered, but may not be possible. The Senate's page office will confirm the scheduled date after processing the incoming requests.

Participating as a page is an excused absence from school. Pages must arrive at the Statehouse by 8:30 a.m. to begin their orientation. They will then tour the Statehouse and observe legislative proceedings in either committee rooms or the Senate chamber.

Parents are responsible for pages' transportation to and from the Statehouse, and pages should plan on bringing a lunch or money to buy a meal. Food can be purchased at the Government Center Cafeteria, Circle Centre Mall or one of the many restaurants near the Statehouse.

For additional information on the page program, visit Bray's website at IN.gov/Senator.Bray or call 1-800-382-9467.