Congressional Page Jon Junior Calvo Begins Work on Capitol Hill

Attends President’s State of the Union Address

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 4, 2005 – Washington, D.C. –Father Duenas student Jon Junior Calvo has finished his first week on the job in Washington, D.C., as part of the Congressional Page Program. On Wednesday, Calvo had the opportunity to watch President Bush’s State of the Union Address from the House floor. At one point, Calvo was a mere five feet from the President. Not a bad way to start off his new job!

In addition to beginning his new experience as a House Page, Calvo also had another new experience: falling snow. Upon his arrival, Calvo asked Bordallo’s staff if the snow on the ground was the last snow of the year. He found out the answer a few days later when almost three inches of snow fell. “It’s a little hard adjusting to the weather, but I like the cold,” Calvo said after his second day on the job.

Calvo is off on the right foot with his new position, saying “the job’s awesome.” So far he has delivered correspondence and flags to Member offices and he looks forward to working on the House floor. “I’ve already gotten lost a few times in the buildings, but I’m starting to learn my way around.” He lives in the Page dormitory a few blocks from the Capitol with two other Pages from Illinois and New Jersey, and will work and study in DC until June.

“Jon has already made quite an impression on his fellow House Pages and he is representing Guam well in this program. It seems that Jon has made a quick adjustment to the pace of work on Capitol Hill, not to mention the chilly winter weather. I look forward to seeing Jon on the House floor as he fulfills his duties as a House Page,” Bordallo said. She added, “I’m glad that Jon was able to join me on the House floor for the President’s State of the Union. What an experience for a high school student!”

Calvo does miss home though, especially his family, friends, and Guam’s local cuisine. “The food is definitely not anything like Chamorro food,” Calvo said. Fortunately, has been able to get some Chamorro food from Congresswoman Bordallo’s office, making a pit stop this week for some kadu and estafao.

When they are not working, pages attend classes at the House Page School in the Library of Congress and reside in the House Page Residence Hall along with other young people from across the country. More information on the Congressional Page Program may be found at the following link: http://www.mccollum.house.gov/vertical/Sites/{6CD95013-7C42-4AD8-A464-EB8D8679E9C9}/uploads/{C41E2B48-5D19-44AC-8EAB-88C43933DB87}.PDF .

Jon is 17 years old and he resides in the village of Toto. Jon’s airfare to Washington, D.C., was provided courtesy of Continental Micronesia. He may be reached for comment by contacting Neil Weare in the Washington Office.

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Contact: Neil Weare in Washington, D.C., at (202) 225-1188 or Joaquin Perez in Guam at (671) 477-4272.