HUNTINGTON PARK : Hooked on Politics With a Capital ‘H’

Jose Cisneros’ interest in politics and school keep him so busy he keeps a beeper to stay in touch with city leaders and friends, the Huntington Park High junior said.

Last week Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard’s (D-Los Angeles) office called to inform the 17-year-old that he had been named to work as a congressional page in her Washington office.

“I was in my counselor’s office changing my program and my pager went off, so I asked my counselor if I could call the number on my pager,” Cisneros said. “That’s when I called Congresswoman Roybal’s office and found out. I couldn’t talk. I couldn’t say anything. I just handed the phone over to my counselor.”

Cisneros will be among the 66 pages working this summer in the House of Representatives. During the session from July 11 to Aug. 7, they will work as messengers and help prepare the House floor for sessions. Each receives a $1,000 stipend to cover living allowances.

“He is so full of life and exuberant,” said Mayor Richard Loya, who was one of Cisneros’ teachers in Huntington Park.

“When I read some of the stuff and the requirements for the job,” Loya said, “I thought, ‘You have to be going to Harvard or be related to the Kennedys to be selected. No one from Huntington Park will get it.’ But he did it.”

Cisneros’ was the only application Roybal-Allard’s office received, something the teen-ager said reflects the lack of Latino role models and the sense of frustration many feel. “There are a lot of young kids who don’t know what to do and I’d like to set an example for them,” he said. “I would like to be in politics and be a leader.”

Cisneros said he has learned about politics by working on local campaigns, including Roybal-Allard’s successful 1992 bid for a House seat. “That’s how I found out about the page position,” he said. “I asked her how I could stay a part of her team.”

Cisneros’ news surprised his father, Jose.

“This is unexpected because (the Speaker of the House) had told Ms. Roybal she might not get to have a page because she lacked seniority,” the older Cisneros said. “I think he’s really excited but a little anxious too about what he’ll be doing.”

For now Cisneros is busy with swim team and marching band practice, his work as newly elected chairman of the city youth commission and just being a teen-ager.

“I’m so happy right now,” he said. “I wonder how many Latinos have been congressional pages.”