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Jacksonville Student Katie Kelley Serves as Senate Page
Jacksonville Student Katie Kelley Serves as a Senate Page
Austin—Recently, Jacksonville High School Freshman Katie Kelley traveled to Austin to serve as a Texas Senate page. The Senate page program gives students ages 6 to 18 an up-close view of Texas politics.
Kelley expressed interests in being a page because it would give her insight into the political process.
“I wanted to learn more about how bills become law,” Kelley said. “I thought it would be a good experience to have.”
As part of their experience, pages may sit on the Senate floor during legislative session, watch committee hearings, and run errands with Senate messengers. In the course of their duties, Senate pages have the opportunity to meet their hometown senator and other elected officials.
In Kelley’s case, she was already familiar with her state senator, Sen. Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville). He is her great-uncle.
“I was so proud to have Katie serve as a Senate page,” said Nichols. “She did a great job and even got to keep me company for a little while on the floor.”
Kelley enjoyed her day at the Capitol and mentioned some of the activities she found most interesting.
“My favorite part of being a page was being in the Senate when they were discussing the bills,” said Kelley. “ I also liked getting to know my way around the Capitol a little better and meeting the senators.”
There are a limited number of page opportunities each legislative session. If you or your child would like to serve as a Senate page, and you live in Senate District 3, please call or email Joanie Brown at 512-463-0103 or for more details.
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