PAGES, INTERNS GET 'INSIDER VIEW' OF CAPITOL

This year more than 160 Minnesota high school and college
students have pushed aside their government textbooks and let
experience be their teacher. The High School Page and College
Intern programs, both part of the Minnesota House of
Representatives' Educational Programs division of the Sergeant at
Arms Office, give students an opportunity to become directly
involved in Minnesota's legislative process.

High School Pages

During their week stay, high school pages get a first hand look
at how a bill becomes a law. They meet with their district
representatives, serve on the House floor handing out bills and
vote tallies, participate in seminars, and attend committee
meetings. Pages also get the opportunity to meet and discuss
ideas with the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state,
and a Minnesota Supreme Court justice. 

"The High School Page Program has been so successful that it is
hard to accommodate all of the applicants," says LeClair Lambert,
educational programs coordinator, noting that over 500 students
from around the state apply each year. About 125 high school
pages -- 14 per week -- have served during the 1990 session. 

All interested Minnesota high school juniors are eligible to
participate. High schools nominate the student. Ideally, one page
is chosen from each of the 134 legislative districts.

The House reimburses at least 80 percent of a student's lodging
and transportation expenses. Lambert says that most metro
students stay at home during their week as a page. House staff
members supervise the students from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
After that, they're on their own. Many students will use their
free time to tour the Capitol and visit with other pages from
around the state. The High School Page Program is 15 years old.
College Interns


College interns perform a variety of tasks for lawmakers, ranging
from conducting research, constituent work,  and surveys to
monitoring committee meetings and summarizing reports or bills.


Interns, usually juniors or seniors, are paired with
representatives based on "what they want to accomplish, and what
the needs are of a House member," says Lambert. 

For example, if the student is interested in health issues, they
would likely intern for a Health and Human Services Committee
member. Interns, who are not paid, are mainly political science
majors, but Lambert says this is not a prerequisite.  

"As long as they have an interest in state government, we try to
accommodate them," he says.

Most interns apply for college credit. The interns are given
weekly briefings that feature a guest speaker or discussion
leader who focuses on different aspects of the legislative
process or current issues facing lawmakers.

Lambert says the interns number about 35 this session. Most come
for a quarter; others stay for a month or a semester. The
majority are students at the University of Minnesota, but many
are from outstate schools. Some interns are Minnesota residents
but are attending schools in Wisconsin.

Tom Keliher, an economics major at the University of Minnesota,
is an intern for Rochester Rep. David Bishop. Keliher says he has
"learned the legislative process from the top down."

"Later in my life I would like to become an elected official.
Right now, I want to learn about the process and this is the
perfect way to go about it," he says. "You couldn't pay for an
education like this." 

Prior to the internship, the student and member-supervisor must
complete a "basic working agreement" which outlines mutual
responsibilites and individual goals in the internship. A report
or research paper is usually required by the student's college at
the end of the internship.  
 
Lambert says his job is mainly to provide advice and help with
any problems that may arise during the internship.



Originally printed in 1990 in the Session Weekly, a weekly
newsmagazine published by the Minnesota House Public Information
Office.

***Last Update 8/5/94 (jtt) Last Review 8/5/94 (jtt) ***