Congressman Jim Langevin (D-R.I.) became the first Member in a wheelchair to preside over the House of Representatives Monday. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Langevin, who was paralyzed over 30 years ago, continues to set a great example for people all over the U.S. with diabilities.
“He is first because of his courage. He is first because of his inspiration. And he is first because when I became Speaker, he said to me: ‘Now that you are presiding, I want to preside too.’ So when that day — when we made history, having the first woman Speaker of the House, it became clear that we had to make history today in having Jim Langevin preside on this historic occasion,” said Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.