In her prepared remarks on assuming the speakership, Nancy Pelosi spoke of the Americans with Disabilities Act:
I close by remembering a cherished former Member of this body, who rose to become a beloved President, and who, last month, returned once more to lie in state.
That week, we honored President George Herbert Walker Bush with eulogies, tributes and tears.
Today, I single out one of his great achievements – working with both Democrats and Republicans to write the Americans With Disabilities Act into the laws of our land.
In 2010, we marked the 20th anniversary of the Act by making it possible for our colleagues with disabilities to preside over the House.
In that same spirit of equality and justice, let me announce that, this afternoon, the first Speaker Pro Tempore of the 116th Congress will be: Congressman Jim Langevin of Rhode Island.
