Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar announced that Adriana D. Aguilar, a junior at United South High School, has been selected to participate in the prestigious United States House of Representatives Page Program. As a member of the Page Program, Adriana will live and study in Washington, DC for five months and provide administrative support to the House of Representatives in a variety of capacities.

The Page Program is non-partisan and run by the U.S. House of Representatives, and is made up of high school juniors. The students serve as non-partisan federal employees, providing supplemental administrative support to House operations. Some page responsibilities include transporting legislative documents between Congressional Offices and delivering new bills and amendments to the House Floor.

On average, only between 60-72 students from across the nation are selected to participate in the program. Adriana is the first Laredoan in several decades to participate in the program. Participating students must be juniors in high school and be at least 16 years old on the day the page term begins. The student must have also maintained a minimum GPA of 3.0 or 85 in the major subjects during their 9th and 10th grades and must have also submitted three letters of recommendation.

“Adriana truly deserves to participate in this prestigious program. She not only meets all of the qualifications, but embodies the characteristics of a true American; she is a young woman who is on the right path to success,” said Congressman Cuellar. “I am certain that she will represent the City of Laredo, United Independent School District and United South High School with great pride.”

In addition to her Page responsibilities, Adriana will attend the House Page School, where she will be taking classes that will apply towards her high school credits needed for graduation. Adriana will also participate in several seminars in Washington and will be tested at the end of the semester for course credit.

Present at the ceremony were United Independent School District Superintendent Roberto Santos, board members Francisco Gonzalez and Mike Garza, and City Councilman Juan Chavez. United South High School Principal Roylin Wilson served as Mistress of Ceremonies.

 “I am honored to have been selected to participate in the Page Program, which will give me a first-hand look at the workings of our federal government. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity would not have been possible without the support from Congressman Cuellar,” said Adriana. “I am eagerly looking forward to learning about House Floor procedures, witness votes, and interact directly with Members of Congress.”

Adriana will participate in the program from September 2, 2007, to January 25, 2008. Upon graduation from high school, Adriana plans to attend the University of Texas at San Antonio. Her goal is to become a doctor and practice medicine in Laredo.

Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the House Homeland Security, Small Business, and Agriculture Committees in the 110th Congress; accessibility to constituents, education, health care, economic development and national security are his priorities. Congressman Cuellar is also a Senior Whip.

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