Virginia Rep. Jennifer Wexton used text-to-speech know-how to advocate for her invoice on the Home flooring Monday, following her prognosis with the uncommon mind situation referred to as progressive supranuclear palsy.
C-SPAN/Screenshot by NPR
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C-SPAN/Screenshot by NPR
Virginia Rep. Jennifer Wexton used text-to-speech know-how to advocate for her invoice on the Home flooring Monday, following her prognosis with the uncommon mind situation referred to as progressive supranuclear palsy.
C-SPAN/Screenshot by NPR
Rep. Jennifer Wexton is being hailed as an inspiration after advocating for her invoice on the Home flooring this week, whilst she battles a uncommon mind dysfunction that has restricted her potential to talk.
The Virginia Democrat took the rostrum on Monday to make the case for her invoice, which might rename a publish workplace in her county after common buyer — and late Secretary of State — Madeleine Albright.
Wexton delivered her practically two-minute remarks utilizing a text-to-speech utility, know-how she’s more and more relied on since she was identified final yr with a degenerative mind situation referred to as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).
“PSP makes it very tough for me to talk, and I take advantage of an assistive app so that you just and our colleagues can perceive me,” Wexton instructed the Home speaker by means of opening remarks.
At the moment, with the help of voice to textual content tech resulting from my PSP, I spoke on the Home flooring in favor of my invoice to rename the Purcellville publish workplace in honor of Madeleine Albright.
Sec. Albright was a trailblazer & inspiration to numerous girls in public service, together with me. pic.twitter.com/S5v203jBsu
— Rep. Jennifer Wexton (@RepWexton) Might 7, 2024
PSP is a uncommon mind illness that impacts strolling, steadiness, eye actions and swallowing, for which there is no such thing as a remedy, in accordance with the Mayo Clinic.
Wexton, 55, introduced her prognosis in September, a number of months after being misdiagnosed with Parkinson’s Illness. Acknowledging that “there is no such thing as a ‘getting higher’ with PSP,” she mentioned she wouldn’t search reelection in 2024 — however pledged to maintain serving the folks of northern Virginia’s tenth Congressional District till then.
“Whereas my time in Congress will quickly come to an in depth, I am simply as assured and dedicated as ever to maintain up the work that bought me into this struggle within the first place for my remaining time in workplace – to assist construct the longer term we wish for our kids,” mentioned Wexton.
Wexton is in her third time period after first flipping her seat blue in 2018. A dozen Democrats and 4 Republicans are vying to interchange her, with major voting set to shut in mid-June.
Wexton has remained concerned as promised. Within the days main as much as her speech, she traveled to Baltimore to debate restoration of the Francis Scott Key Bridge with different Appropriations Committee leaders and used voice assistive know-how to query Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, in addition to Appearing Secretary of the U.S. Division of Housing and City Improvement Adrianne Todman at separate hearings, disclosing her PSP prognosis in each.
“I describe it as Parkinson’s on steroids and I do not suggest it,” she mentioned.
On Monday, Wexton spoke in favor of a invoice she first launched final spring, searching for to rename the publish workplace in Purcellville — about 50 miles west of Washington, D.C. — after her former constituent.
Albright, who died in 2022 at age 84, “selected to not have her mail delivered to her rural western Loudoun County farm however as a substitute turned a fixture on the publish workplace that may bear her identify,” Wexton mentioned.
“Secretary Albright was a fearless trailblazer for girls and a loyal public servant who touched the lives of so many whom she taught, mentored and labored with, together with me,” she added. “It’s my honor to steer this laws to rejoice her historic life and legacy right here in Virginia’s tenth Congressional district, the place her farm is situated and the place she spent as a lot time as she was in a position.”
Wexton famous that this might be the newest in an extended checklist of accolades for the previous secretary — together with a 2012 Presidential Medal of Freedom — and referred to as it an honor to assist protect her legacy in Virginia.
“Secretary Albright as soon as mentioned the best honor of her life was representing the US of America, a sentiment I’m certain all of us share as members of the Home of Representatives,” Wexton mentioned.
The Home handed the invoice the following day, by a vote of 371 to twenty-eight. The Albright household referred to as it a “fantastic tribute to her reminiscence” in an announcement shared by Wexton’s workplace.
Wexton has efficiently launched a number of payments to rename publish workplaces in her district throughout her time within the Home, after WWII veteran Norman Duncan and nation music icon (and Winchester native) Patsy Cline.
She just isn’t the primary lawmaker to make use of assistive know-how in Congress — Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., makes use of captioning know-how resulting from auditory processing points following his 2022 stroke. However it stays a uncommon sight, and has garnered consideration and appreciable reward in current days.
As video of Wexton’s remarks racked up hundreds of views and a whole bunch of likes on X, previously Twitter, different politicians and onlookers shared statements of help for the congresswoman.
“Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton will get extra inspiring every day,” wrote Virginia State Delegate Rip Sullivan. “With outstanding braveness and beauty, she continues to dedicate herself to the tenth district. Her constituents are fortunate to have her preventing for them.”
Virginia State Delegate Kathy Tran wrote that “for people who use augmentative and various communication (AAC) Jennifer Wexton is displaying them that they can also lead and serve on the highest ranges.”
Even Vice President Kamala Harris weighed in, calling Wexton “an inspiration to me and to hundreds of thousands of People throughout our nation.”
“You’re displaying the world what true braveness and willpower seem like,” she wrote late Tuesday. “Preserve preventing.”
Wexton replied with a message of thanks, including: “And I nonetheless have issues to do!” — muscle emoji included.
