Rep. Van Werven sponsors Sumas student as page in House of Representatives
Local teen Marshall Kirk traveled to Olympia the week of Jan. 31 to serve as a page in the state House of Representatives. He was sponsored by Rep. Luanne Van Werven, R-Lynden.
“It was an honor to sponsor Marshall,” said Van Werven. “I hope he learned a lot as a page, and made lasting friendships. He did his job well, and maybe one day he will come back to serve as a representative himself.”
As a page, Marshall learned to navigate the numerous buildings on the Capitol campus to deliver messages and other important documents to legislators and staff. He spent a part of each day attending page school: studying the inner workings of state government and learning from representatives about their duties and responsibilities. On the House floor Marshall also assisted representatives and took part in certain ceremonies.
At the end of the week, Marshall co-wrote a bill to transfer all state funds away from reproductive clinics which perform abortions and presented it to a group of fellow pages in a mock committee hearing. His argument swayed the committee and passed the bill with only two dissenting votes.
Marshall is the son of John and Bev Kirk.
For those interested in become a page, applicants must have a legislative sponsor, be between the ages of 14 and 16, and obtain written permission from their parents and school. Pages earn $35 per day while serving in the program. For more information about the House page program, visit: http://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Pages/HousePageProgram.aspx.
