The people's house makes room for a wheelchair-Rep Jim Langevin Presides

[RamboLiberal]

Today is the 20th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act, and Congress will honor the landmark legislation in a special way:

For the first time in history, a lawmaker in a wheelchair will preside over the House of Representatives.

"I am incredibly excited and humbled," says Rep. Jim Langevin, who will be the trailblazer.

Up until now, it has been impossible for the Rhode Island Democrat, a quadriplegic since the age of 16, to perform a chore that's routine for the rest of his colleagues. "I couldn't get up to the speaker's rostrum," he says.

Today he can because the stately, 60-year-old structure -- the spot where the president delivers his annual State of the Union address -- has been retrofitted with two hydraulic lifts. The renovations were ordered by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and engineered by Stephen Ayers, the architect of the Capitol.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2010/07/the-peoples-house-makes-room-for-a-wheelchair/1

[jaxx]

1. About time.

The idea that our congressional house was not refitted for the disabled until now doesn't say much for understanding the needs beyond passing some legislation. Way to go Nancy Pelosi!

[Scurrilous]

2. K & R

:thumbsup:

[Beaverhausen]

3. I heard an interview with him on NPR this afternoon

He's a very inspiring person.