Steny Hoyer: “I have risen before on this floor and talked about the page program. I was privileged to be President of the Maryland…”

“I have risen before on this floor and talked about the page program. I was privileged to be President of the Maryland Senate, and one of the duties of the President of the Maryland Senate was to recruit high school students for the page program. I would tell, Mr. Speaker, the young people, if I could address them directly, consistent with the rules, I would tell them that this experience will affect you for all of your lives. You will be better citizens. You have had an experience that few citizens in our Nation have. You have been on this floor and seen democracy in action. You have seen how conscientious the Members of this House are. Too many Americans, I say, Mr. Speaker, if I could directly to the pages, too many Americans do not have a full understanding of how hard Members work. How conscientious they are and how much they care about doing the right thing for their country, irrespective of whether they are conservatives or liberals, moderates, Republicans, Democrats or Independents. You have learned that firsthand.”