Anam Zahra's Blog

One week left!

Packing is getting intense, as well as shopping for last minute items.

The Program has sent me a welcome packet advising me of things to bring along.

I need to learn how to do the laundry!

A page's uniform consists of:

• A white Oxford-pressed shirt
• A red and blue stripped tie
• A navy blue blazer
• Dark grey dress pants or a knee-length skirt
• Solid black dress shoes

I finally purchased all of the components of the uniform (except for the tie provided by the Office of the Clerk). It was very difficult finding a navy blue blazer this time of year. After rummaging through dozens of uniform and department stores, I finally found a perfect one at J.C. Penneys. The shirt and dress pants were readily available at a local uniform store.

I have slowly started packing my things into my suitcase. After trying on my uniform, the whole idea seems surreal. It is hard to believe that I will be working in one of the most significant cities in the world at one of the most powerful and influential buildings in the world.

I hope to gain invaluable experience and knowledge that can not be attained through television and books.

Hello,

My name is Anam Zahra. I am between my sophomore and junior year at Roy C. Ketcham High School.
This blog was created to detail my experience as a Congressional Page in the summer of 2008.

Most people are unaware of the duties of a Congressional Page. I'll shed some light on that:

"The United States House of Representatives Page Program is a program run by the United States House of Representatives, under the office of the Clerk of the House, in which appointed high schooljuniors act as non-partisan federal employees in the House of Representatives, (although they do work for the party members of the party of their sponsoring Representative ) providing supplemental administrative support to House operations in a variety of capacities in Washington, D.C. at the United States Capitol[1]." (Wikipedia)

In other words, this summer I will shuttle around Capitol Hill raising flags, taking messages, delivering correspondence and ringing bells.

Politics have fascinated me since childhood. The youngest of three children, I watched Meet the Press and McLaughlin group in kindergarten. Primarily, my concern is American foreign policy. I'd like to pursue international relations as a career. Eventually, I would like to become an ambassador to Pakistan or any Middle Eastern country.

Anyways, I'll put forth my best effort to write in this blog as often as possible, chronicling my days prior to, in, and after Washington D.C.

Anam:)

John Hall is the Congressman (D-NY19) who nominated me for the position of Congressional Page.
I am standing next to John Hall, and to the right is my father.