DNC speaker kicks off convention night with sign-language tribute
PHILADELPHIA — Former Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa began the second day of the Democratic National Convention with a tribute to the disabled community — including his brother.
Harkin, the first speaker of the session, spoke about the Americans With Disabilities Act, which was signed 26 years ago Tuesday. The Iowa Democrat, who spent 40 years in Washington as a member of both the House and Senate, cited the need for expanded protections for the disabled and then discussed why that law was so important to him.
“I learned sign language from my brother Frank when I was growing up,” said Harkin, beginning to also sign his speech. “And now I want to teach all of you a beautiful sign, which connects with the values of this campaign.”
He then got the crowd involved.
“You ready? Now I’m going to teach you this sign. Take your two hands — come on, it’s audience participation time — take your fingers and put them together like this. And move it in a circle in front of your body. That, my friends, is the sign for ‘America.’”
As the audience applauded, Harkin addressed the beauty of that particular sign.
“We’re all together. No one is left out in this constant circle of life that is America. That is the America that we all want.”
His speech recalled two important moments in Harkin’s career. In 1990, following the passage of the ADA, Harkin addressed the Senate entirely in sign language. Twenty-four years later, on the occasion of his retirement, Harkin took the time to teach his colleagues the sign for “America.”
Harkin was joined on the stage by members of the disabled community, including national anthem singer Timmy Kelly. Kelly, a Philadelphia native, is blind and suffers from cerebral palsy, but it hasn’t slowed his musical career. He is a regular performer at Eagles games and has a fan in Beyoncé.
Harkin endorsed Hillary Clinton in August of 2015, perhaps helping her to sneak past Bernie Sanders in this year’s competitive Iowa caucus. Harkin defeated the eventual nominee Bill Clinton in the 1992 edition of the Hawkeye State’s primary contest.
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