Vol: 7 Issue: 2 The House Page Year: 2014

MEET THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES PAGES!

Who is your Delegate? Who is your Delegate? Who is your Delegate? My Delegate is . My Delegate is Manoli Loupassi. My Delegate is Mark Berg.

Tell us where you are from and Tell us where you are from and Tell us where you are from and Sydney Williams something about living there. Erin Sullivan something about living there. Kennedy Eagle something about living there. I am from Chesterfi eld County and it’s great I am from Richmond and I love the city life. I am from Winchester and like that I can walk there because everyone is nice and kind. anywhere. Tell us about your family, friends, and pets. Tell us about your family, friends, and pets. I have two siblings, three best friends, and I Tell us about your family, friends, and pets. I have multiple friends back home that care don’t have any pets. My mom works for the school systems and about me and like me for me. I also have one my dad works for RR Donnelly. sister, Erin, and even though she gets on my What is the best part of being a Page? nerves, I love her and miss her. I have made great friends and it is a great What is the best part of being a Page? opportunity. Meeting everyone from across the state. What is the best part of being a Page? The best part about being a House Page is What are you most proud of in your life? What are you most proud of in your life? that you get to meet a lot of new people. Receiving this job. Being a House Page.

Anything else you would like to share? I am so excited to be a Page and look for- ward to learning more about government......

Who is your Delegate? Who is your Delegate? Who is your Delegate? My Delegate is Peter Farrell. My Delegate is . My Delegate is Speaker Howell.

Tell us where you are from and Tell us where you are from and Tell us where you are from and Nicky Alouf something about living there. Zane Buono something about living there. Abby Caspersen something about living there. I live in Henrico and I like my nice friends. I live in Powhatan County. It is great living I am from Fredericksburg and there’s an there because it is rural and secluded, but is ice cream shop on almost every block (not Tell us about your family, friends, and pets. also right next to Richmond. really:-) I have a mom, dad, brother, and a dog. My dog’s name is Tiki and my brother’s name is Tell us about your family, friends, and pets. Tell us about your family, friends, and pets. Sam. My friends and I like to play sports and I have two brothers, one older and one I have a younger sister, Haley, who is 12 play video games. younger, and a younger sister. Most of my years old; my mom, Stephanie; my dad, Matt; friends attend my school. Also, I have two and a yellow lab, Jack. What is the best part of being a Page? dogs, a rottweiler and a doberman. Making new friends and getting to learn What is the best part of being a Page? how the government works. What is the best part of being a Page? Working for the delegates who work so hard There are many good things about being a for us. What are you most proud of in your life? Page. Being a Page helps us to mature and When I caught a touchdown from Chris develop responsibilities. Also, we learn more What are you most proud of in your life? Cooley. about our government and how it works. Getting accepted into this program. CAPITOL NEWS

Some of the week’s hot topics. HB 1237 passed by a vote of 71-27, is 55 mph in most counties, and HB one day after a lengthy fl oor debate 854 would make the speed limit 35 Monday, January 27th: over the legislation. mph on most unpaved roads. SB 249, designed to give in-state tuition to undocumented childhood Wednesday, January 29th: The bill would clear up a patchwork arrivals was defeated this past week A House subcommittee advanced of speed limits in which nearly a by a Health and Education a bill that would add two hours to dozen counties have posted speed Committee vote of 6-7. ’s time limit for holding an limits below 55 mph on some of the individual in emergency custody state’s 9,000 unpaved miles. The bill, known as the Virginia during a mental health crisis. DREAM Act, sparked debate on Sources: Capital News Service, The News & Advance, The Roanoke Times whether state or federal legisla- HB 478 would increase the maxi- tors should be held responsible for mum duration of an emergency immigration-related measures. custody order from six to eight hours for an individual who meets Tuesday, January 28th: the criteria for temporary detention.

The House passed legislation that DID YOU KNOW..... would allow Sunday hunting on Thursday, January 30th: On February 1, 1884, the fi rst portion of the Oxford English private property in Virginia. Virginia’s speed limit on gravel roads Dictionary, considered the most comprehensive and accurate dictionary of the English language, is published. Today, it is the defi nitive author- CAPITOL (AND CAPITAL!) HISTORY ity on the meaning, pronuncia- tion and history of over half a million words, past and present. Revolutionary Changes in 1776 Source: history.com In May 1776, Virginia leaders meeting in convention in Williamsburg resolved that Virginia should become an independent commonwealth. That June, George Mason drafted a new state constitution detailing improvements in self- government. To enhance the separation of legislative, WHERE IS BILLY BILL? executive, and judicial powers, the governor and his appointed councilors were removed from the General Billy Bill, the “unoffi cial” House of Delegates mascot Assembly and from the General Court to serve as an enjoys strolling in and around the Virginia Capitol. executive authority only. A new “Senate” of Virginia with 24 members elected by qualifi ed voters was created to Take a look at the replace the royal governor and Council in the General picture and try to Assembly. The House of Burgesses was renamed the fi gure out where he House of Delegates with the members elected as before. last visited. This one is Delegates and senators of the General Assembly became tricky, but I know you responsible for choosing judges for Virginia’s high courts, can fi gure it out. as well as the governor and members of his Council. Governors of the new commonwealth could call the Assembly into special session, but could not dissolve the legislature. This revised and renewed General Assembly Want to win a pin? moved to Richmond in 1780 near the end of the Be the fi rst to contact the ICS Offi ce if you think you Revolutionary War. In 1788, Virginia’s peacetime legislature know where Billy Bill had his picture taken. began meeting in the new classical Capitol designed by Thomas Jeff erson. Source: Greenough, M. Virginia Legislative Record, 22(3), August 2012, p. 8. Last week’s location: GAB outside room 419. FEATURED DELEGATE As a delegate, what makes it all said is recorded so it can be picked worthwhile? apart by the media and politicians. The opportunity to have a positive impact to Virginia’s future and to Best compliment you ever received? keep Virginia a place my kids will At my swearing in ceremony my dad want to live and start a family. told me how proud he was of me.

What’s the hardest thing about being What is one thing about you that no a delegate? one knows? Being away from my family, but we When I am at home I make sushi Delegate use FaceTime and other technology by hand and it is one of my favorite to stay in touch every day. things to do. This interview is with Delegate Marcus Simon, D-53rd District. How do social media and technology What is a favorite weekend activity? Delegate Simon has been a impact being a delegate and running I like going on long runs. I run Member of the House of Delegates for offi ce? marathons and 10K’s. since 2014. It had a huge impact on my campaign. I used Twitter and If someone wrote a biography about What made you decide to run for Facebook a lot to stay in touch and you, what do you think the title public offi ce? to keep updated. should be? When Jim Scott announced his “Marcus Simon: A Voice for Progress” retirement, he asked me to run to Do you get nervous when you have to be his replacement. As a lifelong speak on the chamber fl oor? Interview by resident of the district, I was happy Yes! I spoke for the fi rst time last Arabella Jin. to say yes. week. When I speak there is a lot at stake because everything that is

Groundhog Day 2014!

not see his shadow, there will be an drops to a few degrees above early spring. freezing, the heart barely beats, blood scarcely fl ows, and breathing Did you know... nearly stops.

•The average groundhog is 20 •A groundhog’s life span is six to inches long and normally weighs eight years. Phil receives a drink of a from 12 to 15 pounds. magical punch every summer during the annual Groundhog February 2nd is “Punxsutawney •A groundhog’s diet consists of Picnic, which gives him seven more Phil’s” 128th prognostication! Phil greens, fruits and vegetables, and years of life. will leave his burrow at Gobblers very little water. Most of their Source: www.groundhog.org Knob to observe the weather condi- liquids come from dewy leaves. tions and to look for his shadow. Information & Communications Services (ICS) •Groundhogs are one of the few House of Delegates Clerk‛s Offi ce, State Capitol P.O. Box 406 According to legend, if Phil sees animals that really hibernate. Richmond, Virginia 23218 (804) 698-1500 or Toll Free 1-877-391-FACT his shadow, there will be six more Hibernation is a deep coma, [email protected] • virginiageneralassembly.gov weeks of winter weather. If he does where the body temperature G. Paul Nardo, Clerk of the House of Delegates